Staff weep as ‘profit takes precedence over jobs’

JUST six days ago, 172 Roches Stores staff were preparing for a new chapter in their working lives with Marks and Spencer.

Last night they walked in tears from the store where some had worked since it opened in 1979, after being told they were all being made redundant.

As they emerged many hugged each other. One woman said that while they had known for the last week that it was more than likely their jobs would be lost, it had been like a hammer blow when their fears were finally confirmed.