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PRIMARK HAS SAID it will continue to pay all employees affected by the closure of its flagship Belfast store until the end of the year.
The shop was destroyed by a massive fire 10 days ago.
The fire broke out on the top floor of the landmark Bank Building at around 11am on 28 August, and quickly engulfed the whole building. More than 1,500 people were safely evacuated.
In a statement released today, Primark said its main focus has “been on continued support for our colleagues while working together with the authorities and the business community in Belfast.”.
The company said all affected employees will be paid until Monday 31 December. It plans to allocate workers to other stores, “taking into account each team member’s individual circumstances”.
“We are aiming to have the team back at work from Monday 17 September. Primark is holding one-to-one discussions with colleagues to ensure that important factors such as additional travel expenses are also taken into account,” the statement notes.
The company thanked employees for their “positivity and determination” since the fire, and said its engineers are “working closely” with Belfast City Council and Building Control to “determine the best approach to reducing the size of the safety cordon as soon as feasible”.
Primark is also seeking to identify suitable premises for a replacement store.
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Very decent of them …. Wouldn’t see many other companies doing that, well done Primark..
@Sean Leonard: If only we had more like them……are you listening there Ryanair…..
Presumably it’s only if the individuals don’t find another job in the interim. If they do then this generous offer would be cancelled, logically. They’ll be able to tell from each persons Revenue tax status.
@Sean Leonard: its probably just insurance money though. Their earnings would be protected.
@Sean Leonard: I worked for penny’s years ago and this doesn’t surprise me to hear. They value their staff and have always looked after them. A really great company.
Brilliant
Very good. Will have to pop into Pennys and buy a few bits and bobs as a tip of the hat…
@The Risen: I’ll have to pop in to buy a hat to tip..
Fair play to them
No “Penny” pinching there! Respect for doing what good for colleagues and there familys
@Ray McCarthy: * their families.
Fair play! Good to see a Company that appreciative of their staff.
In fairness I would not have expected that from Penny’s. Fair play where it’s due lads..
Damn decent.
Well done. Very generous and professional, and trying to relocate staff with consideration for additional travel expenses. Decency is still alive in the workplace.
Owned by the Weston family estimated to be worth 11.5 billion. Drop in the ocean for them I would say.
@Ciaran Coye: so?
@Ciaran Coye: jaysus there’s always one!
Penny’s got a whole lot of gifts for Christmas, have a lot for the family. .. true fair play
Fair play to Primark. My company wouldn’t even pay when they sent us home due to snow.
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