Staff 'stunned' by closure (From Penarth Times)

Staff 'stunned' by closure

DAN EVANS is to shut its doors in Penarth, with the loss of 37 jobs in the town, just a year after taking over the premises from David Morgan.

The family firm announced its intention to shut up shop completely in January - at both Barry and Penarth - in the face of 'changing retail trends'.

All 176 employees of the department store are on the look-out for new jobs, after being told on Tuesday evening that the company is selling up.

Employees at both the Penarth and Barry stores were said to be "stunned" when given the news, and now face the task of finding new employment.

The stores will close on Saturday, January 28, with the loss of 45 full-time and 94 part-time staff in Barry, and 11 full-time and 26 part-time staff in Penarth.

Managing director Geraint Evans said the decision to close the family-owned stores had been taken in the light of changing trends in retail across the UK.

"I am very proud of our achievements and successes," he said.

"But the changing face of retail will make it increasingly difficult to provide the level of service and value which our customers expect and have become accustomed to.

"This is a very sad day for our staff, but it is inevitable that future success for a store our size can only be achieved through trading from modern efficient buildings."

Mr Evans added: "We will now be entering into formal discussions with all our staff and will give them every assistance we can in helping them to find alternative employment."

Mr Evans added that, while a sale of all premises has been agreed, he cannot reveal who the buyers are.