John Lewis staff at Edinburgh store should be told their jobs are safe – Angus Robertson

John Lewis is an Edinburgh shopping institution. During the last easing of lockdown, members of the public queued round the block to get back into the store.

John Lewis is reportedly considering closing up to eight stores in the UK but Edinburgh should be safe, says Angus Robertson (Picture: John Devlin)

The staff are famed for their friendliness, the customer experience is first-class and the “can’t be beaten on price” pledge is a big draw. Spare a thought today for John Lewis staff here and around the country who are worried about their jobs.

According to reports over the weekend, John Lewis is considering closing up to eight stores, reducing their total from 42 to 34 in the UK.

This follows eight stores being shut last July which put 1,300 jobs at risk. Shops right across the High Street have been badly hit during the pandemic lockdown.

In Edinburgh, Jenners is closing after 183 years and Debenhams and House of Fraser have already gone.

Despite the uncertainty, the future of John Lewis in Edinburgh should be assured given a £24m overhaul and reconfiguration of the whole 160,000-square-foot shop.

New features and services in the refurbished store will include: home design, opticians, a beauty concierge-style service and shops within the shop, with a range of dedicated areas for iconic brands.

Despite the massive challenge to the retail sector, the future of John Lewis in Edinburgh should be guaranteed.

Its first-class staff and quality shopping experience are valued by customers across the capital.

It is not fair that dedicated John Lewis staff should worry about their jobs and senior John Lewis management should guarantee its future as a priority.

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