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Get your free copy27 February 2009, 15:11 PM
- Peckham's, the Glasgow-based deli chain, is set to take over four of the ten McLeish shops.
The company is buying the Schoolhill and Union Street branches in Aberdeen, the Whitehall Street store in Dundee and the former fish shop in Broughty Ferry. In total seven outlets have found new owners. Only the Inverurie, Glenrothes and Edinburgh premises failed to attract interest.
McLeish Brothers, which employed 205 full-time staff, went into administration on 12th January with the loss of 175 jobs. The Inverurie branch had remained open while a buyer was sought, but that will now close and its eight full and part-time staff will be made redundant. The stores in Schoolhill and Whitehall Street had also continued trading and staff there have been reassured their jobs are secure.
Peckham’s said McLeish employees who were made redundant from the stores it is reopening would be given the option to return. The firm estimates that up to 55 jobs will be secured or created thanks to the buy out. Tony Johnston, managing director of Peckham’s, says, “We’ve only taken the small unit in Broughty Ferry. However, it is such a lovely area we wanted to get a foothold in there.” He expects the deal to be completed and the stores to be rebranded in about seven weeks.
Iain Fraser, from administrators Tenon, adds, “We are delighted to have secured the future of seven stores and wish the four preferred bidders every success when they take ownership of the sites.
“Given the market conditions, this is a great outcome for all concerned with McLeish Brothers and I would like to thank the staff and suppliers who have worked closely with us throughout.”
