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Matalan has reportedly opened a select number of its stores located in retail parks across the country.
According to Drapers, the retailer has reopened 15 of its stores following changes to the government’s guidance on 1 May that classes homeware as essential.
As such around 417 members of staff have been able to return to work and have been taken off the government’s furlough scheme. Members of staff have also been kitted out with PPE and customers will return with all necessary social distancing measures in place.
The 15 stores reopened include: Basildon; Bradford Green Gates; Bolton; Cortonwood; Darlington; Halifax; Leeds Halton; Luton; Milton Keynes; Osterley Park/Southall; Rotherham;; Southport; Stockton; Truro and Walsall – North.
Matalan has been contacted for comment.
The news comes as the founder of the retailer John Hargreaves is reportedly suing big four accountancy firm PwC for giving him “misguided” tax advice.
Hargreaves, who set up the business in 1975, alleges the firm failed to give him correct guidance following his move to Monaco, leaving him with substantial tax liabilities for which he was pursued by HMRC.
According to the Financial Times, Hargreaves claims the accountancy giant was “negligent” when advising him on his relocation, and said he had followed advice by the firm on how to relocate to Monaco, resulting in shares in his company worth £237m being sold in one bulk transaction.
However, the sale reportedly led to a “lengthy legal battle” with HMRC, which later ruled that Hargreaves had not effectively given up his status as a resident of the UK.
