Cassandra shares this latest news from BHS. Ed
British clothing and homeware retailer British Home Stores has launched a heart-warming crusade to garner support following its administration announcement.
The 88-year-old iconic retailer revealed a national ‘Guerrilla’ style campaign which saw ‘#SaveBHS’ projected onto multiple landmarks around the UK.
Staff backing the campaign
The 11,000 colleagues working for BHS are keen to rally the backing of the nation to prevent the famous British brand from disappearing from the High Street.
The 100-foot-tall projected image could be seen emblazoned last night (Monday) onto Blackfriars Bridge, Marble Arch and Wellington Arch in London as well as the Marylebone Road, London head office.
The ‘#Save BHS’ slogan, which will also be seen in the north of England, has been used to encourage a mass social media campaign to encourage mass public backing for British Home Stores.
Overwhelming support
Tony Holdway, marketing and creative director of BHS said:
“The #SaveBHS campaign speaks on behalf of the 11,000 staff at risk and our millions of customers all over the UK who do not want to see another British institution disappear from the great British high street.
“We have received overwhelming support from staff, customers and suppliers, since the announcement. These are people who have shopped with us, worked with or for us, often for many years, and always saw BHS as a permanent fixture on their high street.”
“We ask that everyone join us in support of British Home Stores, tweet or Instagram us with your messages using #SaveBHS. We do not intend to go down without a fight.”
The “Dunkirk spirit has taken over”
Simon Lamb, 46, store manager from Tunbrigde Wells, Kent, who has worked for the business for 27 years and is married with three children, said:
“We all want to do is get on with the job we are meant to do. It would be accurate to say the Dunkirk spirit has taken over and everyone is getting on with their jobs with dignity. No one is holding their heads in their hands thinking about what might be.
“Most have been here for many years and almost regard it as their second family. They really are fantastic and are giving everything to ensure our survival and 99% of customers who are coming into the store have been brilliant.
“This is my seventh store and I’ve been with BHS man and boy and the attitude has been the same wherever I’ve been; working here is like a vocation.”
“Determined to show the best of what we do”
Stephen Hill, 31, commercial manager at the Croydon store joined in December,
“Most people have been here 15 to 20 years and everyone is proud that they are part of the Great British High Street. We are all getting on with our jobs as you would expect.
“It is hard seeing everything that has been written about us but we are determined to show the best of what we do. I’ve been in retail all my working life. Not working for BHS would be hard, we all have mortgages or rent to pay.”
“A great company to work for”
Bryony Brinkhurst, 26, commercial manager in the Brighton store, joined the graduate scheme in September,
“I liked the scheme which is why I wanted to work for BHS and it’s proved a great company to work for. They are giving me a great chance to advance and take me to where I want to be. I am so impressed with the people I work with. They are proving to be such a resilient team and I am fortunate to be here. We are all determined to carry on.”
