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New hope for closure-threatened Peter Crisp
A glimmer of hope has been offered to staff at Peter Crisp after workers gave managers suggestions about its future.
A consultation to decide the future of the Rushden department store, due at the end of last week, has now been delayed while managers consider the ideas.
At the beginning of last month, the Evening Telegraph revealed Peter Crisp in Rushden High Street was in consultation with staff regarding a possible closure.
Managers of the store, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, said they would do their best to keep it open, but its future remained uncertain.
The consultation was due to end on October 30 and a formal announcement was expected to be made this Friday. But that has now been delayed.
Owner Julia Roberts said: "We have had a full consultation during the last few weeks and the staff have been very productive in coming up with ideas, so it has taken longer than expected.
"We have also had a lot of feedback from our customers who will be sad if the proposal is accepted.
"A final decision will now be made and announced on November 12."
The Evening Telegraph has been inundated with comments from people shocked and saddened to hear the news.
Most people feel it would not only be a loss to shoppers, but for the town as a whole.
Shaun Evans, 48, of Rushden, said: "It would be a shame to see Peter Crisp close. It is a quality established department store offering a great choice of services and it would be a huge loss for Rushden to see it go."
Paul Maher, 45, added: "It would be a complete loss to the town. Nowhere else in Rushden has such a lot of choice."
Peter Crisp opened in Rushden on September 1, 1959, and over the years it changed from a small agricultural ironmonger's into a store of 15 departments, with a reputation for excellence in merchandise and customer service.
Mr Crisp died in May 1996 and the business was taken over by his wife Rosemary and his eldest daughter, Julia Roberts.
The shop sells a huge variety of goods including china and gifts, crockery and cutlery, DIY, gardening, haberdashery, ironmongery fixing, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom studio, lighting and tools.
If the decision is made to shut the store, the proposal is to keep the kitchen and bathroom studio open.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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