Last minute rescue for Bonmarche in Stratford Centre

Melissa York, Reporter Wednesday, June 20, 2012
9:00 AM

Employees in a Stratford clothes store are celebrating this week after their shop was saved from closure at the last moment.

Bonmarche, a value fashion chain, was forced to close branches in East Ham, Barking and Dagenham after parent group Peacocks went into administration in January.

But just in the nick of time, private equity firm Sun European Partners bought around 275 remaining stores, including the branch in the Stratford Centre in Broadway.

Manager Gwen Elliot said: “We were meant to close on June 6 but we got the phone call saying we’d been saved the Thursday before.

“That’s nine jobs that have been saved. It’s a massive relief, especially in the current climate.

“Some of those are part-time workers as well and those jobs just aren’t out there at the moment.”

Eden also said her staff received a lot of support from the local community when their jobs were in jeopardy.

She said: “Our gratitude and thanks must go to the Stratford Centre management and loyal customers for their continuous support.”