THE closure of Carlisle's House of Fraser store has been met with "shock, disbelief and surprise" in the city, says council leader Colin Glover.

The English Street branch is one of 31 of the chain's department stores facing closure - with 150 jobs set to go in the city.

If the firm's rescue plan is agreed later this month the Carlisle store could be shut by early next year.

Mr Glover today urged people to shop local and stop using the internet in a bid to save the high street.

Mr Glover said the council was talking directly to House of Fraser and has been assured that full support will be given to staff.

He said: "They have told us they will give the staff the support they need and they are keeping us up to date.

"Carlisle is a great place to live and work. It has some lovely shops and some great independent traders.

"I would urge people to shop local. I only use the internet to shop as a last resort.

"It is very rare that I will buy anything online - maybe I'm a dinosaur but I think the high street is really important."

Mr Glover said a group had been set up within the council to look at how the city centre is changing.
Colin Glover, leader of Carlisle City Council

He said: "The city centre now has to offer something other than shopping.

"It has to be a destination place and we have to be very agile to respond to anything that happens in the city centre.

"We have to be flexibile in our thinking so that when someone comes along with a suggestion for that building we can look at it."

Mr Glover said he thought the three-storey building would have to be sub-divided.

He envisages the iconic building becoming a mix of city centre living, offices and shops.

"We would hope that some of the concessions within House of Fraser would stay.

"We will be having conversations with some of those and hope that maybe some of them will stay.

"We have to stay positive and find solutions."

Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has urged House of Fraser management to engage with the union.

Dave Gill - Usdaw National Officer said: "This is devastating news for House of Fraser employees.

"We are receiving calls from loyal and long-serving staff who are extremely worried, including those who work in brand concessions and are not directly employed by House of Fraser.

"Usdaw is providing the support and advice our members require at this very difficult time and we are urging the company to ensure all staff are treated with dignity and are fully consulted.

"Regrettably House of Fraser do not recognise Usdaw.

"I have called on the company to engage in urgent talks, so that we can challenge the business case, investigate what can be done to save jobs and represent our members’ best interests."

House of Fraser needs the approval of 75 per cent of its creditors to go ahead with the rescue plan for its stores.

Creditors will vote on the plan, which involves company voluntary arrangements (CVAs), on June 22.