City of Wolverhampton Council has joined forces with city partners to provide support to the BHS workers set to lose their jobs at the Dudley Street store. The famous British retailer is currently in consultation with its staff after announcing it will be closing its outlets across the country. The Wolverhampton store will cease trading on Wednesday, August 3. It employs 100 staff, all from the city, many of whom have vast years of experience in the retail industry.

The Council, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Job Centre Plus, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), and Local Enterprise Partnership are putting in place practical measures to help look after the welfare of those employees hit by the news.

City employers such as Aldi, Sainsbury’s and Boots have already expressed an interest in offering the affected workers an opportunity to apply for future job vacancies. A small number of staff have secured employment at House of Fraser, New Look, and Debenhams (Birmingham).

Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for City Economy said: “This is extremely disappointing news for all the workers at BHS. “We will now work hard with BHS to support those facing redundancy, and draw on the help and advice of partners to provide new job and training opportunities. A number of companies in the area are growing and we will do as much as possible to ensure those people affected are able to compete for the new jobs being created by these businesses.”

BHS Wolverhampton Store Manager, Cath Cottis, added: “It is a very emotional time for my wonderful team here at BHS Wolverhampton. “With concessions, there is over 100 of us that are looking to be redeployed. We have over 524-years’ service amongst us with a huge amount of enthusiasm, loyalty and experience.

“I would recommend any organisation within the city that has vacancies, to consider the wide range of skills and personalities that are available.”

Businesses potentially interested in employing any of the affected Wolverhampton BHS workers should contact City of Wolverhampton Council Employer Engagement Officer, Sharon Thompson, on 01902 555479 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..