Concern for High Street shop
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HOPES are high that last week’s good news about a new business starting in Forres wil not be dampened by an announcement that another High Street shop could be about to close.
In the same week that Wrights Home Hardware took up residence in the former Mackenzie and Cruickshank building, bosses at neighbouring firm, DE Shoes, released a statement indicating that redundancies at all of their stores may be imminent.
The Forres branch currently employs one full-time and three part-time members of staff. Workers at the store were unable to comment on the situation.
Though the future of the High Street premises has not been decided, closure would see the loss of another well known business alongside the vacant ‘Victoria Wines’ premise.
“As with most of retail our business has been going through some incredibly difficult trading,” said managing director, Robert Sinclair. “Against the backdrop of such external pressures on customer spending no sustainable business model has been found.”
DE Shoes directors will be consulting shop staff over the next three months with regards to the companies future and the roles of individuals within it.
However, Mr Sinclair said that they were hoping to avoid job losses or shop closures if possible.
“The directors will also continue throughout this difficult time to identify any other options open to the company which would avoid or reduce the need to make redundancies.”
Matching a worldwide trend away from the High Street and towards internet shopping, the parent company launched its first transactional website in 2009, followed by the current site ‘DE Shoes Online’ in 2011.
DE Shoes is well known to locals, many of whom had their first shoe fitting there.
“I certainly remember going in as a child,” said retired businessman and local historian, Frannie Duncan. “It would be a real disaster for Forres if it was to close.”
DE Shoes, or Dundee Equitable Boot Depot as it was known, was formed in 1867. Dundee Equitable opened its Forres branch in 1883 as part of the companies expansion throughout Scotland. The brand look that we know today was introduced to the town in 2001 after a shop refit.
The shop now holds the unique position of being the longest established business under the same ownership, on the same premises, in Forres.
“The shop would be greatly missed if it were to close,” said local businesswoman Pearl Hamilton, who is also chair of the Moray and Keith branch of the Federation of Small Businesses. “DE Shoes is a family owned business and it would be sad to lose its history and continuity. I really hope that someone takes it over as a growing concern for the owners and this town.”
