Julian Graves Placed In Administration
Health food retailer Julian Graves was placed in administration this week leaving the future of its staff across the country hanging in the balance.
The business has a large number of stores across the UK including one in Aberystwyth which employs a total of 11 people.
The company has struggled in recent months thanks to a downturn in trade and strong competition from other retailers such as Holland & Barrett who also recently opened a store on Great Darkgate Street in Aberystwyth.
Whilst administrators assess the financial situation within the company it will continue to trade, although staff face an uncertain future at present.
Another empty shop in the heart of the town centre regeneration zone would not be a welcome site for shoppers who have seen a number of stores close in recent years, and there are also rumours that Thorntons will be closing their Aberystwyth store as part of a scale back to ease the financial pressures they have been facing in recent times.
Although it was once stated that a recession can help to kill off unstable businesses and see the strongest ones survive and flourish it does little for the aesthetical appeal of our town centres and main shopping streets to see flagship retail units empty due to a minimal economic growth and business rates which would price many local companies out of these prime retail sites.
