Job losses confirmed as warehouse closes

12:00pm Wednesday 2nd January 2013 in Latest By Julie Magee

Chief executive of Beales, Tony Brown Chief executive of Beales, Tony Brown

THE boss of Beales has confirmed that jobs will be lost following a decision to close warehouse facilities in the Wallisdown area of Bournemouth.

Chief executive Tony Brown said: “We are closing down our Wallisdown warehouse because we don’t need it anymore. Some of the 13 people employed there will be deployed to other areas of our business, including our head office on Richmond Hill.

“It is impossible to say how many jobs will go because the 30-day consultation period is still under way but it will be a very small number; possibly around seven. Closing our store card on November 18 and creating a loyalty card scheme has meant that we no longer need the store card accounts department at Wallisdown. The lease on the warehouse is up.”

A small number of jobs could also be lost in the Bournemouth head office bought ledger department due to new technology.

Mr Brown added: “Technology keeps moving on; at the moment I can’t see any need for further job losses but we can only respond to the market. The number of jobs which could go is a very tiny percentage when you consider that we employ around 2,000 staff across our 33 stores.”

Festive trading at the company’s Bournemouth and Poole stores has been ‘above expectations, with Bournemouth faring particularly well’, according to the Beales boss.

He said: “Customers are very canny these days; they scout around in search of the best deals. We will be able to more accurately assess our Christmas trading performance after January 7.”

Comments(34)

bmthlad69 says...
1:52pm Wed 2 Jan 13

No surprise really. Its just a matter of time before stores will close.
You just have to walk around the Bournemouth store during the week and you probably see more staff than customers.
Unfortuantely the older generation are fading away and everyone else just buys online.
Beales overcharge as well which does not help attracting customers.

Feel sorry for the staff and I wish them luck for the future.

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dvdr says...
2:42pm Wed 2 Jan 13

Beales in Bournemouth lost the plot years ago. They upset existing (older?) customers by going into multiple franchises instead of using their own facilities, and then introduced loud music to attract younger customers, thus repelling older and loyal ones at the same time. They drove away their main customer base, and instead tried to compete at the younger end, where there was already plenty of choice elsewhere.

How long before Beales disappears altogether?

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BmthNewshound says...
3:00pm Wed 2 Jan 13

"Festive trading at the company’s Bournemouth and Poole stores has been ‘above expectations"..... a typical PR quote which doesn't say very much at all. Expectations could have been incredibly cautious in which case to trade “above expectations” could still mean that sales were down on previous trading periods.
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It’s a mystery to me how a small town like Bournemouth is able to sustain 3 very similar department stores (Beales, House of Fraser, and Debenhams). The last time I visited Beales it seemed to have a real identity crisis – its new black and white branding makes it look like a House of Fraser store and its miss-matched range of low quality discounted lines and better quality brands makes it difficult to decide whether they are a quality retailer or discount store.
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2013 is set to be another tough year for retailers. If Beales is to ride the storm Tony Brown really needs to raise his game as a loyalty card is a pretty feeble attempt to attract customers back into his stores.

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refman says...
3:24pm Wed 2 Jan 13

So Mr Brown says "The number of jobs which could go is a very tiny percentage when you consider that we employ around 2,000 staff across our 33 stores.” umm! very re-assuring for those at risk in Wallisdown!! if you look at the reality of the situation and read between the lines he also states "Possibly around seven people will go" not quite such a small percentage as you are trying to make out Sir could be as high as 50% based on the 13 employees!!! same old Mr Brown no regard for his workers but still expects his clients to remain with his sinking brand

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marketboy says...
3:25pm Wed 2 Jan 13

My daughter and I were late night shopping Xmas Eve. Decided on a coffee and bun,Nero's and Costa were just closing at six..Surely, Beales would serve us.
Nah! you've got it,store cafe closed.
It's a slippery slope.

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upyourpipe says...
3:34pm Wed 2 Jan 13

I feel great sorrow for the staff losing their jobs but times are changing, the internet is taking over mainly due to the prices.
Local councils have made it more and more expensive for people to visit town centers and shop prices cannot compete with the internet.
Why waste time driving to the high street with the cost of petrol and parking when you can buy cheaper on the net from the comfort of your own home, Comet was only the first, there will be many more in 2013 I feel.

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benjamin says...
3:42pm Wed 2 Jan 13

I was in their Poole branch thisb morning looking for DVD players. Their electrical department is a disgrace. One medium size television and a few sundries llike toasters and kettles. I just kept on walking!

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bmthlad69 says...
4:16pm Wed 2 Jan 13

To be honest i'm surprised Beales haven't sold the Bournemouth store.
My prediction is that in 2013 they will sell the Bournemouth Store then rent it back off the buyers.

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Richard 1976 says...
6:30pm Wed 2 Jan 13

It's interesting looking back over the years at the stores that used to be in town. I'm hoping some older readers will enlighten me. Bobbys was what is now Debenhams, am I right? There was Plummers on old Christchurch road? And was there a store called Bealesons or is that the same as Beales? Dingles I presume used to be independent of House of Fraser group but nevertheless i find it still has a pleasant atmosphere.

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justsayithowitis says...
6:44pm Wed 2 Jan 13

marketboy wrote:
My daughter and I were late night shopping Xmas Eve. Decided on a coffee and bun,Nero's and Costa were just closing at six..Surely, Beales would serve us.
Nah! you've got it,store cafe closed.
It's a slippery slope.
It is not a slippery slope. Do you not think shop workers should get any time off for Xmas. Lots only have Xmas day off. I am sure you could have waited until you got home and made your own coffee

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demonmonster says...
7:02pm Wed 2 Jan 13

Disappointing to see that Tony Brown does not know whats going on, in his own company.
Five staff have already gone from the Wallisdown site, with others leaving in a couple of weeks. The remainder will be phased out after that. (They have all been made redundant.)
Still in the consultation stage is complete rubbish.
None of the staff that have already been made redundant were offered any jobs elsewhere within Beales !
More jobs are going in Head Office than he is saying.

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bobsworthforever says...
7:56pm Wed 2 Jan 13

I started work at Beales when I left school aged 15 that was 50yrs ago, we were never allowed to stand and talk if there were no customers we would have clean or tired up. Today if you go in all you hear from the staff is what they did last night or are doing tonight, no wonder it is going down hill and stopping the store card I think was a bad idea.I had had one for 20+years.

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bobsworthforever says...
7:57pm Wed 2 Jan 13

I started work at Beales when I left school aged 15 that was 50yrs ago, we were never allowed to stand and talk if there were no customers we would have clean or tired up. Today if you go in all you hear from the staff is what they did last night or are doing tonight, no wonder it is going down hill and stopping the store card I think was a bad idea.I had had one for 20+years.

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rebelred says...
8:57pm Wed 2 Jan 13

Sad to see the demiss of an institution. When you go in the store, you can never find an assistant to help. This is the way retail seems to be going. How long before shops are self- service or we order everything online.
Hope those that have lost their jobs find a new one soon. They deserve better than the way Beales have treated them
Are the Beales still involved or just a figure head? They seemed to overexpanded to quickly

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GAHmusic says...
9:05pm Wed 2 Jan 13

rebelred wrote:
Sad to see the demiss of an institution. When you go in the store, you can never find an assistant to help. This is the way retail seems to be going. How long before shops are self- service or we order everything online.
Hope those that have lost their jobs find a new one soon. They deserve better than the way Beales have treated them
Are the Beales still involved or just a figure head? They seemed to overexpanded to quickly
I belive they run a veg stall in Albert Square now

Report this post »

gameon says...
10:49pm Wed 2 Jan 13

Beales must be losing Thousands overpriced and out of touch with the real world Tony Brown is Kidding himself not the public if he thinks his stores are profitable its just a matter of time before either poole or bmth stores bring the curtain down .

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Jetwasher says...
10:56pm Wed 2 Jan 13

i cant see beales riding this high street storm out, Internet and out of town shopping has been growing year on year, If i was a betting man i think beales bournemouth store will be out of business by the end of the year.

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Jetwasher says...
11:04pm Wed 2 Jan 13

If your unfortunate to work there maybe its time to put in some plans of your own for your work or retirement future, i sure wouldnt wish any one out of work but retail work is not as secure as it used to be :(

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Avengerboy says...
3:18am Thu 3 Jan 13

Car parking is the issue.

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Mangiafuoco says...
5:09am Thu 3 Jan 13

I hear Tesco are interested in the site.

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social-poet says...
8:46am Thu 3 Jan 13

I noticed the other day that the Pen Shop has now dissapeared from Beales and has been replaced by some horrible cheap pens in an unattended display cabinet. Another move from top quality goods to tat. You can't buy some of the pens they used to sell at the Pen Shop online or at other local retailers either. Great move - remove one of the few items only available at Beals thus further lessening its appeal! As Frank said - and now, the end is near.

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bmthlad69 says...
9:24am Thu 3 Jan 13

I hope Tony Brown is taking a paycut as well, as its obvious that the company he is in charge of is failing.
If he took a paycut maybe some of the poor staff from Wallisdown could get a proper payout.

I'm amazed by his decision to get rid of the store card. I don't like people going in debt but surely this is a big money maker for retailers? I wander why he decided to remove this??

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cheeriedriteup says...
10:36am Thu 3 Jan 13

GAHmusic wrote:
rebelred wrote: Sad to see the demiss of an institution. When you go in the store, you can never find an assistant to help. This is the way retail seems to be going. How long before shops are self- service or we order everything online. Hope those that have lost their jobs find a new one soon. They deserve better than the way Beales have treated them Are the Beales still involved or just a figure head? They seemed to overexpanded to quickly
I belive they run a veg stall in Albert Square now
quality

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APC303 says...
11:00am Thu 3 Jan 13

marketboy wrote:
My daughter and I were late night shopping Xmas Eve. Decided on a coffee and bun,Nero's and Costa were just closing at six..Surely, Beales would serve us.
Nah! you've got it,store cafe closed.
It's a slippery slope.
First world problems.

Report this post »

bmthlad69 says...
11:06am Thu 3 Jan 13

rebelred wrote:
Sad to see the demiss of an institution. When you go in the store, you can never find an assistant to help. This is the way retail seems to be going. How long before shops are self- service or we order everything online.
Hope those that have lost their jobs find a new one soon. They deserve better than the way Beales have treated them
Are the Beales still involved or just a figure head? They seemed to overexpanded to quickly
I believe Beales bailed ship a while ago. Perhaps Mr Beale could see what was happening and got out whilst he could.
Can't blame him really, sensible move.

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demonmonster says...
12:05pm Thu 3 Jan 13

I do hope that it continues for the staffs sake.
Certain people should not have taken huges bonus's last year and lined their pockets without a thought for the staff.

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demonmonster says...
12:09pm Thu 3 Jan 13

rebelred wrote:
Sad to see the demiss of an institution. When you go in the store, you can never find an assistant to help. This is the way retail seems to be going. How long before shops are self- service or we order everything online.
Hope those that have lost their jobs find a new one soon. They deserve better than the way Beales have treated them
Are the Beales still involved or just a figure head? They seemed to overexpanded to quickly
Beales family long gone, any left, blinkered to whats happening.

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kingstonpaul says...
1:54pm Thu 3 Jan 13

It's a total myth that 'everyone is shopping online these days'. Sure, a lot of us are for some stuff, but the overwhelming majority of purchasing is still done in bricks & mortar shops.
Problem with Beales is that it has an ageing/reducing customer base, and a product mix to match. It has huge loyalty and affection amongst these shoppers, but that's not an enduring basis for future prosperity. If anything, its older shoppers are much more likley to use shops than go online.
The standard bearer these days for department stores is John Lewis; competing with them is getting much tougher.

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bmthlad69 says...
4:02pm Thu 3 Jan 13

kingstonpaul wrote:
It's a total myth that 'everyone is shopping online these days'. Sure, a lot of us are for some stuff, but the overwhelming majority of purchasing is still done in bricks & mortar shops.
Problem with Beales is that it has an ageing/reducing customer base, and a product mix to match. It has huge loyalty and affection amongst these shoppers, but that's not an enduring basis for future prosperity. If anything, its older shoppers are much more likley to use shops than go online.
The standard bearer these days for department stores is John Lewis; competing with them is getting much tougher.
I agree with your comment regarding the ageing/reducing customer base, but not the myth that 'everyone is shopping online these days'. I personally believe the internet is taking away customers from the physical shops. Most people search the web for the product and can find it a lot cheaper online.
I read a news article recently that stated people go to the shops and then use there smartphone to scan the peroduct which compare prices online, to get the best price.
I also agree with you regarding John Lewis being the leader of department stores, Beales just cannot compete with them.

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pete woodley says...
5:24pm Thu 3 Jan 13

Frank Beale was a very genuine and friendly man.

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demonmonster says...
5:39pm Thu 3 Jan 13

I think the problem is that Beales is unsure of its own direction and shifts from what it thinks Tony Brown wants.
It was once known for quality and service.
Sadly the product has taken a nosedive along with the lack of staff.
Shame about the account card, but I am sure Beales must of had a debt book, therefore this would have generated some much needed money into the system.

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Jetwasher says...
6:12pm Thu 3 Jan 13

bmthlad69 wrote:
kingstonpaul wrote:
It's a total myth that 'everyone is shopping online these days'. Sure, a lot of us are for some stuff, but the overwhelming majority of purchasing is still done in bricks & mortar shops.
Problem with Beales is that it has an ageing/reducing customer base, and a product mix to match. It has huge loyalty and affection amongst these shoppers, but that's not an enduring basis for future prosperity. If anything, its older shoppers are much more likley to use shops than go online.
The standard bearer these days for department stores is John Lewis; competing with them is getting much tougher.
I agree with your comment regarding the ageing/reducing customer base, but not the myth that 'everyone is shopping online these days'. I personally believe the internet is taking away customers from the physical shops. Most people search the web for the product and can find it a lot cheaper online.
I read a news article recently that stated people go to the shops and then use there smartphone to scan the peroduct which compare prices online, to get the best price.
I also agree with you regarding John Lewis being the leader of department stores, Beales just cannot compete with them.
Spot on, if there is something im interested in buying thats over £ 200 ll visit the shops to only view the product that im going to buy online, why pay full prices ? you can save hundreds online if your looking for a tv or white goods etc etc

Report this post »

bmthlad69 says...
8:35am Fri 4 Jan 13

Jetwasher wrote:
bmthlad69 wrote:
kingstonpaul wrote:
It's a total myth that 'everyone is shopping online these days'. Sure, a lot of us are for some stuff, but the overwhelming majority of purchasing is still done in bricks & mortar shops.
Problem with Beales is that it has an ageing/reducing customer base, and a product mix to match. It has huge loyalty and affection amongst these shoppers, but that's not an enduring basis for future prosperity. If anything, its older shoppers are much more likley to use shops than go online.
The standard bearer these days for department stores is John Lewis; competing with them is getting much tougher.
I agree with your comment regarding the ageing/reducing customer base, but not the myth that 'everyone is shopping online these days'. I personally believe the internet is taking away customers from the physical shops. Most people search the web for the product and can find it a lot cheaper online.
I read a news article recently that stated people go to the shops and then use there smartphone to scan the peroduct which compare prices online, to get the best price.
I also agree with you regarding John Lewis being the leader of department stores, Beales just cannot compete with them.
Spot on, if there is something im interested in buying thats over £ 200 ll visit the shops to only view the product that im going to buy online, why pay full prices ? you can save hundreds online if your looking for a tv or white goods etc etc
Yes I do the same, you can save a lot of money doing this.

Report this post »

legendaryshopper says...
10:10pm Fri 4 Jan 13

marketboy wrote:
My daughter and I were late night shopping Xmas Eve. Decided on a coffee and bun,Nero's and Costa were just closing at six..Surely, Beales would serve us. Nah! you've got it,store cafe closed. It's a slippery slope.
You onky put this comment up so you can moan about something!

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