Xtra-vision closures met with dismay

NEWS that four Northside Xtra-vision stores are to close for good with the combined loss of 21 jobs has been met with dismay.

The closures at Phibsborough. Swords, Ongar and Carpenterstown were confirmed last week by joint receivers Luke Charleton and Colin Farquharson of Ernst & Young who announced that a total of nine stores in the Republic of Ireland were to be axed.

The receivers said the stores were identified for closure as a result of unsustainable trading losses resulting from a fall in revenue.

“It is regrettable that we have had to schedule these store closures and we are extremely grateful to the employees and management at all the stores for their loyalty and support during what has been a very difficult and uncertain time,

? said Mr Charleton.

The receivers said employees affected by the closures would be offered appropriate support and advice throughout the redundancy process.

Dublin 15 based councillor, David McGuinness (FF), said the closure of branches in Ongar and Carpenterstown highlighted the difficult retail environment experienced by stores in Dublin West.

“Following on from receivership, these stores were considered unviable which fails to take into account the growing nature of the communities which they find themselves in,

? he continued.

“Both stores will leave a gaping hole in the retail areas which they operated out of and will further diminish the choice on offer to customers in Dublin 15.

“My sincere condolences go out to the staff of these stores. I welcome news that they will be prioritised should vacancies arise in other stores but accept that this is cold comfort for those who now find themselves on the dole queue.

?

Local Sinn Féin activist, Natalie Treacy, blamed the closures on

“the failure of Labour and Fine Gael’s continued austerity policy

?.

“The closures will further dissipate the level of consumer choice in the Dublin 15 area,

? she said.

“I am grateful that these employees will be given first preference should vacancies become available within other Xtra-vision stores. However, this will not comfort those employees who now find themselves on the dole queue and may even have to emigrate.

“It is truly ironic that some political representatives claim to have sympathy with these employees, even though it is the policies of their parties which created the meltdown of the retail sector that has resulted in these job losses and others.”