Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi-based Liwa Trading Enterprises will close at least one of its BHS-licensed stores in the UAE’s capital this year, according to employees who asked not to be named.
The BHS outlet in Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi will close by early September, staff at the outlet said.
Liwa Trading, which operates 10-plus BHS stores in Abu Dhabi, was not available for comment.
Other branches across the emirate will likely remain open, according to staff at those locations.
Al Maya Group, the operator of BHS stores in Dubai and Sharjah, declined to say whether the stores would close or remain open when contacted by Gulf News.
Alshaya, which manages the BHS stores in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Oman, did not comment by deadline.
BHS made headlines after billionaire Philip Green, who owned BHS for 15 years, sold the loss-making British retailer last year to Dominic Chappell for £1 (Dh4.73).
Chappell is a former racing driver and bankrupt with no experience in retailing. The company collapsed in April, affecting thousands of jobs.
Green, who has reportedly taken more than £400 million (Dh1.89 billion) in dividends from the company, left it with a £571 million pension deficit.
On Saturday, the company closed its flagship store at Oxford Street in London, with 58 expected to shut their doors by next weekend, according to British media reports. The rest of BHS’s 163 stores will reportedly close by August 20.
BHS opened its first store in Brixton, south London in 1928. Green bought BHS, known as British Home Stores before rebranding, in 2000 for £200 million.
