New Look announces store closures

New Look has announced a proposal to reduce close a number of its stores, but Rochdale is not on the list.

The Company is instigating a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) and seeking approval from creditors on a plan to improve the operational performance of the Company.

Under the proposal, New Look has identified 60 out of its total 593 stores in the UK for potential closure, alongside a further six sites which are sub-let to third parties. The proposal also includes a reduction in rental costs and revised lease terms across 393 stores.

The proposal involves a requirement to make redundancies from the stores which have been identified for potential closure, expected to be a maximum of 980 staff amongst the Company’s current UK staff base of 15,300 people. However, all efforts will be made to redeploy colleagues within the business where possible.

New Look is seeking creditor approval on the proposal, which is due on 21 March 2018. All UK stores will remain open as normal during the period of the proposal and the Company’s online sales channel will be completely unaffected by the proposed changes.

Daniel Butters and Neville Kahn of Deloitte LLP, the business advisory firm, have been appointed as Nominees to the CVA.

Alistair McGeorge, Executive Chairman of New Look, said: “Given our challenged trading performance and over-rented UK store estate, we are having to take tough but necessary actions to reduce our fixed cost base and restore long-term profitability.

“We have held constructive discussions with our key landlords and strategic partners and will now seek creditor approval on our CVA proposal. A priority for us is to keep all potentially affected colleagues informed during this difficult time.”

Daniel Butters, Partner at Deloitte, said: “The retail trading environment in the UK remains extremely challenging, driven by weaker consumer confidence, the implications of Brexit and competition from online channels.

“New Look is an iconic brand on the high street and the CVA will provide a stable platform upon which Management’s turnaround plan can be delivered. We have fully engaged with the British

Property Federation and its members and their views are reflected in what we believe is a fair proposal to restructure the property obligations of the Company.

“It is important to stress that no stores will close on day one, and employees, suppliers and business rates will continue to be paid on time and in full.”

Stephanie Pollitt, Assistant Director (Real Estate) at the British Property Federation (BPF) said: “These situations are never easy as landlords need to take into consideration the impact on their investors, including those protecting pensioners’ savings, as they vote on the CVA proposal.

“New Look and Deloitte, however, have demonstrated best practice, constructively engaging with the BPF early in the process and ensuring landlords’ interests have been properly taken into account. Ultimately, it will be for individual landlords to decide how they will vote on the CVA, but the proposal has sought to find a solution that works for all parties.”

Wheatsheaf Centre manager Mark Foxley said: "New Look recently signed a new lease here at the Wheatsheaf and Rochdale is not on the list of stores identified for potential closure.

“This is an exciting time for Rochdale town centre and the Wheatsheaf; we are in legals with a number of new tenants including a major gym operator."