SNP Business spokesperson, Mike Weir MP, has expressed disappointment and concern following the of a timetable for the closure of Woolworths 807 stores, and 30,000 staff redundancies.
Mr Weir said:
”Woolworths has been an icon of the High Street for almost a century, and news that stores will close within weeks is bitterly sad.
”Although the announcement is hardly a surprise it is none the less a tragedy for staff just a week before Christmas.
“What is deeply frustrating is that the local stores have been brought down because of the huge problems facing the company nationally – many local stores are profitable and popular.
“The collapse of the Woolworth chain will have serious knock on effects not only on our local High Streets but also on other chains.
“It is absolutely essential that the Westminster government do much more to help our high streets – in particular by tackling the banks over their lending to business.
“Woolworths survived for nearly 100 years and several recessions, but fell victim to the credit crunch created in the city of London, and for which Gordon Brown must take a great deal of responsibility.
“The Scottish Government gave a major boost to local enterprises with the cut in business rates earlier this year and are working towards abolishing them for small businesses. They have also launched a six point plan aimed at helping business and the economy.”
SNP MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Angus MacNeil, added:
”My heart goes out to the workforce who have been dealt a bitter blow just a week from Christmas. The situation is all the more wretched because many of Woolworths stores, such as the one in my own constituency, are profitable and popular local businesses.
”On the day that unemployment has reached a decade high, it is awful that 30,000 Woolworths staff are also now set to be made redundant.”
Official press release.
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