Cumbria's MFI staff 'in limbo' over stores’ future
Last updated 13:41, Thursday, 09 October 2008
Staff at Cumbria’s three doomed MFI stores say they are “living in limbo” because management have refused to tell them when, or if, the shops will close.
MFI’s branches at Carlisle, Workington and Barrow have been placed into administration after they were left out of a rescue deal which saved 106 UK outlets.
The stores, along with 84 others, are likely to close unless a deal can be struck with the owners of the buildings they trade in for a three month ‘rent holiday’.
All three Cumbrian outlets are still trading, despite the firm’s national call centre telling the public yesterday that they were closed.
Staff say they are turning up to work not knowing whether the store will still be open by the end of the day.
Administrators Kroll were talking to MFI managers yesterday, via a conference call, to answer concerns from staff but have refused to say when, or if, their stores will close.
One MFI worker said: “It’s an appalling way to treat people, some of whom have worked for the firm for more than 20 years.
“We are being asked to turn up and enthusiastically sell products every day without knowing what is happening to our jobs.”
Kroll have requested details from store management about who the key holders are and what the alarm codes to the building are in an apparent first step to closing them.
The staff member added: “The feeling is that the stores on the list of 87 are doomed. Management will only talk to the other 106 stores (which have been saved) and are not interested in talking to us.
“They have basically cast us adrift and told us to get on with it, without us knowing what’s going on.
“How can you deal with customers and sell them products when you don’t know if the shop will be open tomorrow?”
No-one from MFI was available to comment.
