Beales announces Closing Down sales

Closing Down sales have begun at Beales Department stores across the country.

As one of Britain’s oldest department stores the company went into administration earlier this week, 1,300 jobs nationwide have been put at risk.

The retailer began trading in Bournemouth in 1881 and as well as its stores found locally in Bournemouth and Poole (situated in the Dolphin Centre), has 22 stores nationwide.

In Poole, shoppers had mixed views about the sales that have begun.

One man local to the area said: “I’m very disappointed.

“Places like Beales and Debenhams should be supported. I’ve lived here 76 years and been in the shop most of this time and now its going to leave a lot of people without jobs.”

Buzz reporter @JackT_Media created a timeline of the history of the Dorset based company Beales.

Take a look at his Prezi timeline:#buzznews #beales ⬇️⬇️⬇️https://t.co/WhoykaImCy

— Buzz News (@buzz_bmth) January 23, 2020

Another local said: “I think it’s a shame, but I do think I’m just as guilty as anyone for online shopping.”

Beales were forced to draft in administrators KPMG after failing to find a buyer for the business.

Bosses from the department store blamed spiralling business rates after the chain made a loss of £3.1million up to March 2019, but say they are still hoping for a ‘positive outcome’.