Sadness and surprise at closure of well-known Scunthorpe town centre store
A TRADER has called for measures to help Scunthorpe High Street after the Ernest Jones store closed.
The jewellery and watchmaker ceased trading on Monday – sparking fresh concerns about trading on the High Street.
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The Scunthorpe High Street branch of Ernest Jones, which has closed
Tony Coe, manager of Scunthorpe jeweller's Coe & Co, said the closure was disappointing news. He said: "It is a shame to lose another retailer from the High Street.
"I am not sure the reasons why they have left but it could be because it is expensive to rent in the town centre.
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"This is a nationwide problem. A lot of shops are struggling to sustain staying in the town centre.
"Something needs to be done to help businesses."
Nic Dakin, MP for Scunthorpe, said: "This news is very disappointing and further illustrates that it is a challenging time for the High Street.
"That is why I have been calling for two hours free car parking and I hope the council is listening."
Ernest Jones offered no explanation for why the store closed and was unable to confirm reports that seven jobs had been lost.
But one source, who asked to remain anonymous, said, shortly after news broke, that staff had felt the store was doing well.
"Staff are working now behind the shutters packing up stock, discussing redundancy options, which won't be for a lot of money," the source said. "Most will be left to find other jobs, some have been there 15 years or more."
Another close to the business said staff had been told about the closure at 3pm on Monday – shortly before it shut.
"All staff are out of jobs – another blow for the high street," the source said.
A spokeswoman for Signet, which owns the Ernest Jones brand, said: "The Ernest Jones store in Scunthorpe closed on February 18.
"We continually reassess our portfolio of stores on a store-by-store basis, particularly when individual store leases come up for renewal.
"This particular closure bears no reflection upon the future plans of the Signet business estate overall within the UK. We are sorry to be leaving Scunthorpe."
Councillor Liz Redfern, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: "It is important for us to support local businesses in the area, especially through these difficult times. We are looking at ways to improve the town centre and what options are available to us. We have extended the car parking voucher scheme and have also reduced some car parking prices in a bid to increase footfall."
A sign was posted at the Ernest Jones store urging shoppers to go to the town's H Samuel store, which is also owned by Signet.
6 Comments
by Alexandr
Sunday, February 24 2013, 2:06AM
“Typical useless statement from politicians trying to keep their names in the news, as always. Why on earth do they think we are remotely interested in their inane comments on everything?”
by scunnyha
Thursday, February 21 2013, 8:20PM
“the best thing about the high st is the road out
the councillers can,t have a 5 star office accomadation and a decent high st”
by Florida
Thursday, February 21 2013, 6:42PM
“From what I see Ladybird2 there will still be enough places for everone to park even if the town centre workers come in their own transport. But not all town centre works do come on public transport do they ? Your just generalising?
But the system at present is not bring money into the area.
Well off to Meadowhall I go parking is free and you can enjoy quality shopping without the Riff Raff!!”
by ladybird2
Thursday, February 21 2013, 6:10PM
“20k rent per annum along with 15k rates per annum with no small business relief make it impossible to move onto the high street and if you remove all the parking charges, town centre workers, who at the moment travel to work by bus would just start using their cars and take up most of the spaces.”
by leonidas
Thursday, February 21 2013, 1:59PM
“this is a nice shop that deserves to be in a nice environment, cant blame then for naffing off, at least we've still got that cheap jewellers in the foundry, that much more fits in with the town centre setting. yeah good one nic, that should solve everything, laughable...”
by Florida
Thursday, February 21 2013, 12:08PM
“Stop charging Car Parking for a start or you shall have no shopping centre worth coming to town for!
Just look around it's like Chernobyl; the buildings are dirty looking just like the Zombies walking around!
What a depressing place!”