Derbion responds after store slams 'unworkable' conditions

Pictured is a letter to customers
-Credit:Derby Telegraph / supplied


Derby's largest shopping centre has responded after a notice in a shop window alleged it was providing "unworkable" conditions. Derbion says it understands the centre feels "cooler than usual" following the recent cold spell, but has offered an explanation after one store took issue with the temperatures inside.

H. Samuel, a jeweller on the first floor of the shopping centre near the Albion Street entrance, said it would only be open from 10am to 3pm, four hours less than its usual 9am to 6pm working day. The notice on the shop window read: "Opening hours today: 10am - 3pm.

"Apologies for any inconvenience caused to our customers however we are presented with unworkable temperatures within the Derbion centre. Please bare with us [sic] while the Derbion resolve the heating issue."

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Pictured is the letter to shoppers at H.Samuel, Derby
A letter appeared on a shop window

A member of staff, who has worked in the centre for more than a decade, said they had never "felt so cold" or seen Derbion "so quiet" during the winter. They said: "There is a walkout being planned by some retailers as the centre refuses to operate with heating on.

"The temperatures in the centre are causing many retail staff to be off sick, and many retailers are reporting that footfall is way down. I have worked in the centre for more than a decade and have never felt it so cold or seen it so quiet in the winter."

Despite the speculation over the the use of heating in the building, Derbion has reassured shoppers and staff that it is "fully operational". A representative said that in contrast to claims of low footfall, a "high volume of customer traffic" had made it difficult to retain heat in the centre.

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Beth McDonald, managing director of Derbion, said: “Due to the recent extreme severe cold weather, we understand that the centre feels cooler than usual. Despite our heating system being fully operational, the high volume of customer traffic in and out of our entrances, and ongoing building work for the new Eastern Gateway development, have made it challenging to retain heat in some areas of the centre.

“The comfort of our visitors and retailers is a top priority at Derbion. We are working closely with retailers, implementing temporary measures, and exploring further solutions to enhance temperatures across the centre as quickly as possible.”

The notice at H. Samuel was quickly replaced with a branded letter to customers. This read: "Opening hours today 10am - 3pm. We apologise for any convenience."