Anger as 55 jobs losses at Haldanes

Jun 16 2011 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

BOSSES of Haldanes were this week slammed after the supermarket chain went into administration with the loss of 55 jobs in Larkhall.

Staff hit out after the firm went into administration last week.

The company’s Union Street store, formerly Somerfield, opened 18 months ago, with 15 full-time staff and 40 part-time workers – 52 of them living in the town.

But last week a total of 26 Haldanes stores across the UK, 13 in Scotland, went into administration, with the loss of 600 jobs.

It came just week after it began legal proceedings against The Co-operativeGroup.

Workers were given the bombshell news last Thursday morning and staff were said to be in tears.

One source said: “I read that Arthur Harris (chief executive) is devastated and had sympathy with staff – well that is a lot of tosh.

“I would allege that they have been running the business into the ground.

“They recently opened 20 UGO stores in England.

“The company have a bakery and chain of 11 bakers across England that are making money. Why can’t the money from these stores be used to pay staff wages.

“Staff are devastated and they won’t know if they are going to be paid on Friday.

“It could take weeks for them to get their money and in the meantime they have mortages and debts to pay.”

Larkhall MSP Christina McKelvie said the job losses were a devastating blow to the town.

“I know that the Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) teams have already been in touch with the employer side and that the action to help people who have lost their jobs is already started,” she said.

“It doesn't make up for losing your job but at least it starts the process of helping people find new jobs and new opportunities.

“This isn't an easy time, the least I can do is be supportive.”

Haldanes leased the premises in Union Street and rumours were rife that week in the town, suggesting that either Morrisons or Tesco may take over the store but both companies have since denied any interest in moving into the premises.