Independent department store chain Beales is set to open up its first store in Scotland in the space left behind by McEwens of Perth.
McEwens of Perth went into administration and closed down in May last year after suffering ongoing trading losses, leading to around 100 job losses.
It had been trading at the St John Street site in Perth since 1868.
Beales, which operates 20 outlets in the UK, has confirmed it would now move into the empty space and hopes to open its new department store by November.
The new Perth store will be the chain‘s first in Scotland.
“We are delighted to welcome our Perth store, formerly McEwens, to the Beales family,” Beales chief executive Tony Brown said.
“Working closely with Perth and Kinross Council we hope to get the store open by November. We recognise Perth to be one of the most innovative cities in Scotland with a great heritage and a forward-thinking council.
“We are confident that Beales will be able to meet the needs of our new customers in Perth and surrounding area, continuing Perth‘s tradition of offering all that is best from a local, independent department store.”
Beales describes itself as one of the largest independent market town department store retailers in the UK and has been owned by property investor Andrew Perloff since 2015.
Last year, Beales closed 10 loss-making stores and negotiated a company voluntary agreement which enabled it to negotiate rent reductions on many of its sites.
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