Austins: Jobs fear as Ireland's oldest department store closes its doors

Austins was founded in 1830 and was the world's oldest independent department store.

Austins of The Diamond Ireland's oldest department store has closed its doors this morning with 53 staff being told they have lost their jobs.

The store, in Derry’s Diamond, did not open for business this morning and shutters remain down.

Staff were handed letters from the stores owners describing today as a “very sad day” and saying the recovering had not been strong enough to keep the store trading in “difficult times”.

The letter said all involved in Austins had “done their very best” to save the landmark Derry store - which requires major investment to the internal structure of the building to no avail.

DUP MLA Gary Middleton told the ‘Journal’ that staff had been called to a meeting this morning to be told the store would cease trading with immediate effect and that their P45s were being prepared.

Mr Middleton described the news as a “devastating blow for the city and especially for the staff members who yesterday had a job and were this morning given the news that they their jobs are gone.

“Austins is a landmark building in our city and to see its doors close marks a very sad day for us all. Our thoughts most first and foremost be with the people who were told this morning they are out of work and we must do all we can to support them in the coming days.”