A former John Lewis employee, Caroline Sampson from Bushey, has set up a petition that has received more than 10,000 signatures in a last-ditch attempt to stop the shop closing its Watford store.
John Lewis’s Watford branch is among eight locations that will not be reopening, the department store confirmed on July 9.
The announcement of the stores closure came exactly a month after Debenhams too announced it would not be reopening in Watford, as well as the intu shopping centre calling in administrators.
Speaking to BusheyNews, Caroline said: “I wanted to start the petition because I was so upset and disappointed with the news. I just wanted to do something to make John Lewis realise that the Watford store is loved and play a huge part in the community.
“I worry about the whole infrastructure in Watford as a result, I think we will be in deep trouble if they don’t change their minds. The store brings people in from Harrow, Berkhamsted, St Albans and other places.
“It is not just a shop, it’s part of the community. It’s a place where grandparents take their grandchildren and where the Salvation Army come at Christmas time.”
Caroline has been in regular contact with Watford’s MP Dean Russell to see if anything can be done to stop the decision, but admits she feels for the staff mostly.
She added: “I used to work in that branch, and people have been there for a very long time. I am absolutely gutted for them and it’s a complete shock. I think everyone was looking forward to going back there.”
To see the petition, click here
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.com and Comfield
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