// Peacocks former staff win legal battle after the retailer failed to consult over redundancies
// The brand collapsed in November 2020 and it closed 200 stores, resulting in 2000 jobs
Peacocks former employees have won a year-long legal battle after an employment tribunal found that the value fashion retailer failed to properly consult over redundancies.
An international investment consortium, backed by Edinburgh Woollen Mill’s chief operating officer Steve Simpson, acquired Peacocks from administration in April 2021.
The fashion brand collapsed back in November 2020.
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The deal saved 200 stores and 2,000 jobs. No redundancies were made.
However, Peacocks closed 200 stores and made 2,000 redundancies during the pandemic.
Over 140 former staff instructed law firm Aticus Law to pursue a claim for a protective award – compensation was awarded by an employment tribunal because their employer did not consult with them before they were made redundant – on their behalf.
The law firm said that those involved in the legal challenge have won their right to claim up to eight weeks’ worth of pay, with a cap of £544 per week.
The total value of the claim is estimated to be in excess of £260,000.00.
“Today’s judgment has come as a huge relief to the dozens of former staff who were made redundant from Peacocks when it collapsed almost 18 months ago – leaving many unemployed, worried about money, and uncertain about what the future had in store,” employment law expert at Aticus Law, Mohammed Balal said.
“Now that the judge has ruled in favour of the workers, we are able to access a Protective Award on their behalf, which is a form of compensation up to 90 days’ gross pay.
“We will be working tirelessly to access the funds as quickly as possible so that our clients can finally draw a line under what has been a difficult ordeal, and to look to move on with their lives once and for all.
“Today’s judgment shows that Peacocks failed in that duty and thanks to the determination and persistence of our clients we have been able to hold the company accountable for that.”
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