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"Angels response"
A review of Stead & Simpson by Angel - Sunday 24th of February 2008
Hi Tracey and anyone else whos interested
I do understand your point of view, but I think we also need to remember that there is nobody left at Head Office from the original management structure. (Thank God!!).The "Two Davids" and the board who got us into all this trouble in the first place resigned, paid themselves and legged it. So the decision to get rid of Steads employees has not been taken by anyone connected to the Steads business nor has it been taken by Anthony Smith the chief exec of Shoezone. The 37 stores that were immediately closed were those not required and therefore not bought by Mr Smith and so were part of a business that went under. So obviously the administrators of that defunct business ordered the closures.The 99 stores that are closing through March (as far as I am aware by speaking with my Area Manager)all had their Leases/Rents paid up until then and so were able to trade on.Most of these stores were in towns where the Shoezone/Shoefayre business was already represented so again its not the case that he didn't want the staff but that he is already represented there. It was purely down to a question of which retail unit was the most cost effective. I think the hardest pill to swallow has been all the steads that have closed only to find shoefayre are being converted over, to expect the steads staff to take their stock across set up the new steads shop and then walk away is taking the mickey. It has been really hard to see friends and colleagues be made redundant and in a way I genuinely feel guilty for surviving the closures I never thought I would be so happy to stay the same. But I will not get complacent as it would be all too easy to think that things will remain the same it won't!! The new boss is keen to keep costs down so I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the wage budget slashed. And as you know we are all on minimum staffing as is. But I will remain optimistic and open to change and new ideas. I hope you manage to find a new job soon along with everyone else who has been made redundant.
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