'A history of good service to the city' — iconic Dundee store Robertson's closing after 130 years
A 130-year-old furniture store in central Dundee is to close, with the loss of 16 jobs.
The firm's store has been a fixture in central Dundee for generations.
- By Graham Huband, business editor
- Published in the Courier : 21.10.11
- Published online : 21.10.11 @ 11.11am
Robertson's House Furnishers had traded from Willison House in Barrack Street for decades until economic pressures forced the business into liquidation this week.
The move brings the curtain down on a firm that is familiar to generations of Dundonians and which managed to trade its way through both world wars and through the various economic highs and lows.
The store — headed by managing director Brian Cram, the great-grandson of founder John L. Robertson — catered for the higher-quality end of the market and was a constant among Dundee's ever-changing retail landscape.
The company started as a second-hand operation, but the business grew and Robertson's eventually stocked a wide range of interior furnishings, mainly from premium manufacturers.
The firm was known for its high levels of service and its traditional values and it tended to shun marketing and promotional gimmicks as part of a longer-term strategy that allowed it to build up a loyal customer base.
Unfortunately, the sharp economic contraction in recent years, coupled with intense competition in the furnishings market, conspired against the store and it has been forced to cease trading.
The Courier found the building locked up on Thursday, but joint liquidators Ken Pattullo and Paul Dounis of Begbies Traynor said the shop would reopen in the next week to allow the stock to be sold off.
Mr Pattullo said: ''The demise of a once thriving family firm is sad, and particularly when it involves the loss of this many jobs. However, the business is simply not able to trade profitably, and will have to close once we have sold the remaining stock in a clearance sale.''
Begbies Traynor senior manager Neil Dempsey said: ''We have informed staff of the situation, and we are opening as usual for the next week at least while we trade the remaining stock at much reduced prices in order to recover funds for the creditors.
''There are hundreds of items to be sold and we have decided to sell the items to the public, and we expect in the current economy there will be significant demand for the type of traditional furniture that will be discounted.''
Dundee's Depute Lord Provost, Councillor Ian Borthwick, described the loss as a severe blow.
He said: ''It is a great pity that a business with such a good reputation over such a long period — a history of good service to the city and the people of Dundee — should be going out of business.
''The merchandise at all times was of the highest standard, as was the service by all of the staff.
''It is very sad that the staff — many of whom were long-serving — should be losing their jobs. I hope that they will be able to secure new employment. Their record in the past at Robertson's speaks for itself.''
Alan Mitchell, chief executive of the Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce, said the loss of any firm was sad but he said the success of Robertson's over so many years should act as an inspiration to other aspiring businesses.
12.12pm - 21.10.2011 Stewart - Dundee, Scotland Report This
It was the creater of ots own demise, the store failed to invest in the future and have suffered for this. Look at the difference between Gillies and Robertsons, its scary how one forward thinking organisation in striving but a backward company has now failed.
04.07pm - 21.10.2011 Neginhal - Dundee, Scotland. Report This
Overpriced stuff, bad service, did not move with the times.No one in these times will pay 3000 pounds for a bed.Does not surprise me at all.
04.33pm - 21.10.2011 Jinty McGinty - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Totally agree. Stuck in the past and run with no forethought. Still, what goes around comes around as they say. And how will the staff secure jobs if they have a reputation of working for a family / company like that?
08.05pm - 21.10.2011 CS - Dundee, Scotland Report This
@Previous comments - Ever heard the term "if you`ve got nothing nice to say, it`s better to say nothing at all"? I am sorry to see another one of our few independant retailers disappear. I`d rather save for quality goods, than fill my home with the latest flat pack from Argos/B+Q/etc.
08.54am - 22.10.2011 Theo Ropodopolous - Dundee, Scotland Report This
With the shop having the 'everything must go' closing down sale the prices are now down to only three times the cost of buying the goods online.
09.54am - 22.10.2011 Ray Dalvor - Portimao, Portugal Report This
Unfortunately, must agree with the previous comments about failing to respond to the market. The only constant in life is change and Robertsons singularly failed to acknowledge and respond to this. It is the loyal members of staff who have been there for years who are the real victims.
10.01am - 22.10.2011 margaret - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Sorry to hear about the loss of this store I have always had good service there .Good luck to the staff also I hope that the building stays it has style in a City that has become faceless.
10.06am - 22.10.2011 T. Butchers - Dundee, uk Report This
The staff were a knowledgeable, helpful bunch and the fact that Dundonians prefer the furniture equivalents of Poundland says more about the customers. Best of luck in finding alternative employment,
12.01pm - 22.10.2011 Stewart - Dundee, Scotland Report This
@CS - nobody mentioned Argos.internet etc. The simple fact remained that the shop failed to adapt to the market, even look at the state of their building, it isn't exactly welcoming. Dundee has some great a great mix of independants and chains for a city of its size.
10.31pm - 22.10.2011 Alan - Dundee, UK Report This
I could not disasgree more with some of the early comments...brilliant service of the old style. Well informed dependable staff. Says a lot about the economy that this store survived the 1930's but not this downturn! Sorry to see it close.
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