There was shock in Selby today after a popular shop closed suddenly.
Peacocks on Abbey Walk has been repossessed by the building’s landlord.
A notice is in the store window on Abbey Walk saying: “Take notice, that Threadneedle Pensions Limited (“the Landlord”) has today taken possession of the property situated at and known as Unit 7/8A Abbey Walk, Selby YO8 0DY.
“No one may now lawfully enter the Property without the Landlord’s consent.”
Peacocks, which sells clothes, shoes and accessories for all ages, has been a mainstay of the Selby shopping scene for many years.
Its closure comes weeks after neighbouring fashion retailer M&Co shut. When it closed in September, staff posted on Facebook that they wanted to stay in Selby but “we have been unable to reach terms with the landlord”.
This week, the entire M&Co group went into administration.
Peacocks closed its York branch, on Front Street, Acomb, in 2020 as the chain collapsed into administration.
The business was saved by a senior executive, with backing from an international consortium, in April 2021. At the time, this was said to have rescued 2,000 jobs and 200 stores.
He immediately demanded that landlords suspend all rent requests, and said he could reopen some of the budget chain’s store on half their pre-pandemic rent, The Times reported.
The chain is still operating online and at other sites too – the nearest now are in Goole and Leeds.
Peacocks HQ in Wales told YorkMix to call back tomorrow for more information. We’ll bring you that when we have it.
Selby shoppers reacted with dismay at the news. Writing on Facebook, one said: “So sorry this has happened to Peacocks. Hoping all the staff find new jobs in these bleak times.”
Another wrote: “Omg so everyone now has to travel to York to get clothes? There isn’t going to be anything left in Selby apart from coffee places, takeaway and hairdressers.
“What’s going on with Selby? It’s going to become a ghost town soon.”
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