Struggling firm Beales on the verge of falling into administration

The historic Beales department store could go into administration in the next few days

A provider of men’s and women’s fashion, furniture and cosmetics across the United Kingdom, Beales, might be forced to close its shops located on the high street of Bournemouth and in Poole.

If Beales in Bournemouth closes, it will join a long list of stores along the Bournemouth high street, including Mothercare, Supercuts, Thomas Cook, Debenhams and Marks & Spencer.

The firm which started in 1881 has been a staple of Bournemouth’s high street for the last 139 years.

Bearwood and Merley councillor David Brown defended the council support for local businesses.

He said local councils helped businesses through organising events, such as the Bournemouth Air Festival.

Cllr Brown added: “There is more that the council could do but at the end of the day we are just part of a jig saw puzzle”

In a similar state to Bournemouth, is Poole high street, with one side thriving with busy shops and the other being a ghost town, with closing down signs scattered around the area.

 

More locals shopping in the area, have come forward to give their views on the high street changes.

One shopper along the high street said: “It’s very sad that we will have to sit at home on the computer rather than go to the shops, it’s really very sad.”

Another women said: “The high street is an embarrassment and doesn’t look good for tourists visiting”

“Sometimes it is easier to shop online but you can’t beat the experience of going to the high street” a man said.

With Beales possibly going into administration within the next few days, the future is unclear for this historic firm.