Bailiffs called to close two clothes shops in Rustington

Store Twenty One and QS Kids, both in The Street, are now empty after a dramatic week in which bailiffs first repossessed the shops last Tuesday (February 12), and then staff were allowed in on Tuesday (February 19) this week to load stock into a lorry.

It is thought about eight people worked in the two businesses, owned by the same parent company Grabal Alok.

The premises themselves are owned by landlords Store Property Investments Ltd, based in Chichester, which called in the bailiffs last week.

Earlier this month, Grabal Alok wrote to its landlords asking for an immediate cut in rent and warned that, without help, it faced liquidation.

According to the industry journal, Retail Week, the company asked for emergency rent relief ranging from half-price rent over the next six months to zero rent until the lease has expired.

Within days of receiving the letter, Store Property Investments called in the bailiffs. Notices on the door of both Rustington shops state that the bailiffs entered the premises under the terms of the lease. They were locked up and remained closed until staff returned on Tuesday to remove the stock.

For the full story, see this week’s Gazette (Thursday, February 21).