Eason takes over Hughes & Hughes’ seven airport stores saving 120 jobs

EASON has taken over the bookshop licences at Dublin and Cork airports, vacated last week by Hughes & Hughes going into receivership.

While the licences only relate to the airport shops and not Hughes & Hughes’ high street retail portfolio, the deal between Eason and the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) – which runs both airports – will save 120 of the 225 jobs.

Hughes & Hughes – which was established more than 25 years ago – went into receivership with Deloitte’s David Carson being appointed last week. The company cited stiffening internet competition, exchange rate volatility, rent demands, declining passenger numbers through Ireland’s main airports and falling consumer demand as reasons for its failure. It lost its two store licences at Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5 two years ago.