STAFF at a Stratford health and beauty store were stunned to be given just a day’s notice before it closed.
Bodycare in Bell Court shut for the final time last Friday after 15 years trading in the town – leaving eight staff jobless.
Team manager Lyndsey Mckivett said: “It was a horrible feeling to only be given one day’s notice. Bodycare had known for the two years since the construction to Bell Court had started that we would potentially have to vacate so it was horrifying to find out we were completely in the dark about that until the day before closure.
“My girls and I were absolutely devastated, we hadn’t even been given enough time to find new jobs. I now have seven ladies who are now worried about paying their bills, their rent, their mortgages and looking after their children. It was almost heart breaking for most of us after investing so many years into the shop to be given just one day to get out.”
Body Care bosses said they had wanted to stay at Bell Court which recently underwent a £30million revamp, and the arrival of new stores and restaurants and the Everyman cinema.
A Bodycare spokesman said: “We were disappointed that the landlord of the Stratford premises would not renew our lease, due to them wanting to redevelop the centre.
“As part of the consultation process employees were offered roles in other Bodycare stores, however these were declined.
“In the circumstances the company had no option but to proceed with redundancy, following which employees received all contractual and statutory entitlements.”
John Stacey, asset management director for UK & European – which owns the lease to Bell Court – said it had been in discussions with Bodycare for many months about the closure, and the closing date was a mutual agreement.
He added: “A lease for the former Bodycare unit has now been agreed with another retailer which will be announced very soon.
“We’ve had a good relationship with Bodycare over the past three years and wish them the very best for the future.”
Customers on social media users have branded the closure of the health and beauty store as a major loss to the town.
