A Dundee store is closing with the loss of 20 jobs because management refuse to comply with the trading conditions they signed when the shop opened.
The original planning agreement for the B&M Homestore in the Kingsway West Retail Park was that it was not allowed to sell toys or convenience goods because of prior agreements with other stores in the park.
The company approached Dundee City Council at the start of the year asking for a change to its trading conditions, allowing it to use 20% of its floor space for the sale of those items.
Although the council refused this request, they did say they could relax the rules to allow toys and convenience goods to be sold on 5% of the shop floor.
The company released a statement on Tuesday afternoon, which said the Dundee branch is their best-performing store in Scotland but, because the council has refused to relax its rules further or find another site for the store, it will close before the Easter weekend.
Area manager John Dunbar said, “Although they could not identity any alternative premises we could trade from in Dundee, the council’s officials still objected to our continued trading at Kingsway Retail Park.
“As a direct result, we now have to close the store, with the loss of over 20 local jobs.”‘Fastest-growing retailer’He added, “We would like to thank our Dundee customers for their support and custom.”
Parent company B&M Bargains claims to be the UK’s fastest-growing retailer, employing more than 7000 people.
It has 235 stores in the UK up from just 21 four years ago.
The Dundee branch opened in January 2008.
A spokesman said the local authority had tried its best but B&M Homestore had agreed to the conditions when it opened.
He said, “When they approached the council earlier this year seeking to use 20% of their floor space for toys and convenience goods in recognition of the difficult trading environment, we were prepared to alter the conditions to 5% and offered to discuss this with them.
“They have not taken us up on this offer.”