NEWS
Darling
Ex-Woolworths directors plan new
rejects
retail chain
According to reports three former Woolworths directors have announced plans for the launch of a new
business
retail chain to plug the gap left by Woolworths.
Former head of commercial Tony Page, commercial director Steve Jebson and head of stores and
rates cut
concessions Andy Latham met with ex-colleagues and contacts yesterday to form the new business.
Jebson said 10 staff would be employed this month and a further 10 in April in roles across buying,
Chancellor Alistair Darling has ruled out any changes to
finance, supply chain and property.
the forthcoming increase in business rates next month
The ex-Woolworths staff to be taken on did not hold director-level positions at the defunct variety
but has indicated that the system may be reviewed after
store retailer, but are ex-store managers, area managers and buyers.
the 2010 revaluation.
The head office will be located in the Slough area as it is “the cheapest in terms of location”,
In a reply to Retail Week magazine Darling said that
according to Jebson, who described the operation as “very slim and therefore very cheap”.
there are no plans to amend the policy under which rates
He added: “The challenge is to remain simple and lean. Woolworths was a very large organisation.
will rise next month based on last September’s 5 per
We don’t want to replicate that. We’ll reduce the emphasis on entertainment and concentrate on
cent inflation rate. “Freezing business rates would cost
homewares, pic ‘n’ mix and toys.”
almost £1bn,” he said.
Jebson said they are yet to settle on a name for the chain but confirmed it will be “nothing like
But the announcement has been met with fury by
Woolworths”. He said: “It will state exactly what we’re about, which is delivering families great value. It
major retailers who had hoped for a change of heart, at
will be very straightforward.”
least for the major revaluation of business rates in 2010.
54 sites have been identified but they are yet to sign for their first store as they want to get a brand
Retailers are set to face even bigger rises because
name registered first.
this will be based on property values two years
The trio will all be partners at the company and this week had their business plan approved by their
previously when the value of retail property rose more
investor – an entrepreneur without any previous interests in retail – who has provided £10m of funds.
rapidly than other types of property. However, Darling
defended the system.
“Revaluation does not, in itself, raise extra revenue,”
UKG backs
he said. “It simply redistributes the tax to reflect changes
in the property market across the country.”
National Family
BRC urges
Week
UK Greetings Ltd is sponsoring the new
Government to take
nationwide initiative, National Family Week.
The celebratory event takes place from 25th
action
to 31st May 2009 and celebrates the importance of family life via high profile activities and events around
the country involving schools, charities, local authorities, youth groups and shopping.
“As UK Greetings Ltd is a greeting card manufacturer, we thrive on the value of family and the
Reacting to a report estimating that 140,000 shops
meaning and sentiment behind sending a card,” said a spokesperson for UK Greetings.
will become vacant by the end of this year, the British
“Our company is built on the importance of family and how the very act of sending a card can lift
Retail Consortium (BRC) said urgent action is needed by
a spirit, shed a tear, inspire laughter and keep the bond of family prevailing in today’s modern and fast
landlords and the Government to prevent this prediction
paced society. We are delighted to sponsor this huge event that also has the backing of the government,
coming true. The BRC is asking for:
to promote the value of family across all social, ethnic and religious backgrounds.
- Retail rents to fall in line with market realities
“Together with UK Greetings, the National Family Week has the support of other high profile
- An immediate switch to monthly rent arrangements
companies and organisations such as Sainsbury’s, Bupa, The National Lottery, Scope and The National
- A total freeze on business rates
Children’s Society; together we can help make this family initiative a huge success.”
- A complete restoration of empty property rate relief
Jane Milne, BRC Business Director, said: “Retailing is
caught between falling sales and rising costs. Property
is one of retailers’ major costs and it has spiralled out of
control as landlords and the Government cashed in on OBITUARY - David Edwards, Wishing Well
competition for prime sites during the boom times.
It is with great sadness that Wishing Well Studios must announce that David Evans, former
“A haemorrhaging of retail jobs and local services
Managing Director & co-founder has sadly passed away. He died on Tuesday 17th February
is now evident in many communities. Urgent action is
following a lengthy illness & battle with Cancer.
needed by landlords and the Government – boarded up
shops help no-one.
David & fellow co-founder Brian Phillips developed Wishing Well from its humble origins;
“Retailers need rents to fall in line with market realities,
publishing a few naïve cards with nice verses, into a highly profitable, award-winning, greatly
a wholescale switch to monthly rent arrangements, an
respected traditional publisher.
immediate freeze on business rates and a complete
David sold his shares & retired in April 2008 due to ill health. At this moment in time our thoughts
restoration of empty property rate relief.
are with Sue, his wife & his sons, Shaun, Paul & Ian.
“All of this is required now, before decimated high David’s Funeral was held at Our Lady & All Saints RC Church, Parbold on Thursday 26th
streets cause a further collapse in public confidence – February at 11.00.
pushing the economy into steeper recession.” This is on behalf of the Wishing Well board & entire staff.
6 Greetings Today
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