Save BHS campaigners light up London landmarks as retailer administration rumbles on

By: Catherine Neilan

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Campaigners trying to rescue iconic high street retailer BHS turned some of London's landmarks red, white and blue last night, with a city-wide campaign to find a saviour for the chain. 

Marble Arch, Wellington Arch, Blackfriars Bridge and BHS' Marylebone head office were among the buildings lit up by campaigners with the message #SaveBHS last night. 

"Come on Britain," it urged. 

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Earlier in the day, BHS' official Twitter account had hinted that something was coming, telling followers "we have a surprise for you…. something that lights up the streets of London", and asking people to keep their eyes peeled. 

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Tony Holdway, marketing and creative director of BHS said: “The #SaveBHS campaign speaks on behalf of the 11,000 staff at risk and our millions of customers all over the UK who do not want to see another British institution disappear from the great British high street.

“We have received overwhelming support from staff, customers and suppliers, since the announcement. These are people who have shopped with us, worked with or for us, often for many years, and always saw BHS as a permanent fixture on their high street.”

Simon Lamb, 46, store manager from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, said: “The Dunkirk spirit has taken over and everyone is getting on with their jobs with dignity… They really are fantastic and are giving everything to ensure our survival and 99 per cent of customers who are coming into the store have been brilliant."

 

The retailer entered administration last month, putting up to 11,000 jobs at risk, as financial woes pile up. Administrators Duff & Phelps are thought to have had at least 50 expressions of interest in the business, including from Mike Ashley's Sports Direct.

Under former owner Sir Philip Green, BHS built up a £571m pension deficit, which is now the subject of an investigation by the Work and Pensions select committee. 

Yesterday it emerged that the Pension Protection Fund had BHS' scheme on its radar as far back as 2012. It also transpired that the scheme had a 23-year-old recovery scheme – far longer than is usually allowed.