HIGH street store Oasis is to remain a fixture of Ipswich's Tavern Street after bosses today confirmed the branch would stay open and fight the recession.
HIGH street store Oasis is to remain a fixture of Ipswich's Tavern Street after bosses today confirmed the branch would stay open and fight the recession.
The store had all but given in to the economic slump last week as a result of unaffordable rent and sluggish trade.
But rather than shut up shop and be forced to cut jobs and relocate remaining staff, Oasis has bucked the emerging trend of capitulating companies conceding to the credit crunch.
Employees were due to clock off for the last time on Saturday but Oasis announced at the eleventh-hour that their jobs were safe.
Tavern Street store manager Victoria Squirrel said: “We finally secured a deal on the rent and decided to sign a new lease on the building.
“It's all a bit last minute but we are really really happy. I'm especially pleased because all of my team are staying here with me!”
The Tavern Street outlet was one of five Oasis stores in the area - not including the concession stand in Debenhams �- preparing for closure.
The store has defied market analysts' expectations by remaining open despite other businesses being forced to surrender.
The independent juice company Myjuice had to close its flagship store in the Buttermarket on Boxing Day after but owners hope to return to the high street when the recession is over.
How is the recession affecting you and your business? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
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