As takeover rumours continue to swirl following British Home Stores (BHS)
collapse into administration, the team of the 88-year retailers launches
its own crusade to garner up support.
The high street retailer has launched a national ‘guerrilla’ style campaign
featuring the slogan ‘#SaveBHS’ and sees BHS projecting the hashtag on
numerous landmarks across the UK. The campaign was inspired by the 11,000
employees working at BHS, who are keen to ensure the survival of the
British department store group.
The ‘#SaveBHS’ slogan was projected onto the Blackfriars Bridge, Marble
Arch and Wellington Arch in London on Monday night, as well as the
Marylebone Road, London head office. The slogan will be used online as well
to encourage a social media campaign to garner public support for BHS. “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,”
commented Tony Holdway, marketing and creative director of BHS.
“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. We ask that everyone join us in support of
British Home Stores, tweet or Instagram us with your messages using
#SaveBHS. We do not intend to go down without a fight.”
Other staff members at BHS have voiced their support for the campaign, such
as Simon Lamb, store manager from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, who has worked
with BHS for 27 years. “We all want to do is get on with the job we are
meant to do. It would be accurate to say the Dunkirk spirit has taken over
and everyone is getting on with their jobs with dignity,” said Lamb.
“No one is holding their heads in their hands thinking about what might be.
Most have been here for many years and almost regard it as their second
family. They really are fantastic and are giving everything to ensure our
survival and 99 percent of customers who are coming into the store have
been brilliant. This is my seventh store and I’ve been with BHS man and boy
and the attitude has been the same wherever I’ve been; working here is like
a vocation.”
Photo: BHS campaign