Future of Chippenham store in balance (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Future of Chippenham store in balance

9:00am Saturday 28th January 2012 in News

The future of a Chippenham clothes store hangs in the balance after the national company that owns it went into administration.

Peacocks, at Emery Gate shopping centre, is awaiting to hear whether it will close or if a buyer can save the ailing Peacock Group.

But another store, Bonmarché, also at Emery Gate, had been under threat of closure but its new owners, Sun European Partners have announced that the store will be one of 290 across the country to be saved. Around 160 branches across the country will face the axe.

Bonmarché is one of the UK’s largest women’s value retailers and was founded in 1982. It was bought out by the Peacock Group, owner of Peacocks stores, in 2002.

Rob Perks, president of Chippenham Chamber of Commerce, said: “What we are seeing in Chippenham is being reflected up and down the country. It is a combination of things that are to blame – the economic downturn, increased parking charges and the increase in out-of-town developments – which are all sucking the blood out of our High Street.”

Matthias Gundlach, of Sun European Partners, said: “Bonmarché is a great brand. Thanks to its strong range with a good value-for-money proposition, Bonmarché has a loyal customer base.

“We are confident in putting a sustainable growth programme in place and working with management to develop the business successfully.”