Beales department store in Perth to close down two weeks early

The Perth branch of the Beales department store chain is to close down two weeks early due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Joint administrators Will Wright and Steve Absolom of KPMG said the sudden collapse of the retail trade meant it could not carry on. The shop went into administration in January along with the rest of the 149-year-old brand's 23 shops, two of which closed last week.

Staff will continue to work until close of business on 21 March to box-up residual stock and administration. Most of the company's 1000 employees UK-wide will then be made redundant, with all salaries paid up to and including Saturday.

Wright said: “Whilst it is regrettable that we have had to take this decision, especially given the fantastic support that the staff have provided to the business and the administrators since our appointment, the impact of these unprecedented circumstances has left us with no alternative option.

“We will be working with employees to ensure they have all the necessary information to submit claims to the Redundancy Payments Service, together with details of who to contact for any help and support they may require.”