IRVINE’S popular Next Clearance store has been saved from closure.
All of the 31 members of staff at the Riverway Retail Park shop will keep their jobs following an 11th hour u-turn by the clothing giants.
The store was due to close last Friday, April 29 following the expiration of the premises lease.
As we exclusively revealed in January, staff were left devastated by the bombshell announcement as the store met its annual targets.
Mystery shopper surveys taken just weeks before the revelations also highlighted a 100 per cent customer service and customer satisfaction ratings.
Staff at the Irvine branch were initially told they would be given jobs in other Next stores.
But bosses at Next confirmed to the Times that they no longer have plans shut the store.
A spokesperson from Next said: “We can confirm that this store is no longer closing.
“All 31 store staff will be keeping their jobs.”
The company would not be drawn on speculation that North Ayrshire Council's rent prices were the reason behind the proposed closure.
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