DISMAYED: Dionie Frost and Jasmine Cox thanked the community for its support after being given only one day’s notice that they would close.
ARMIDALE clothing store Ally Fashion shut its doors for the last time on Wednesday after being given only 24 hours notice.
The six staff had originally been told in late July they would have to close on August 12.
However, last Tuesday they received notice they would have to close the next day.
Former manager of Armidale’s Ally Fashion Jasmine Cox said she had been trying to find out from her former employers why the shop had to be closed only to be told it was “due to leasing”.
However, it is believed the closing date was moved forward so the shop could be dismantled.
Ms Cox was upset with both the short notice and what she saw as insufficient reasons for closing the shop.
“It’s actually really frustrating because we have probably 100 different people asking us ‘why are you closing?’ and I can’t give a straight answer,” she said.
“We all just have to find new jobs. We’re just added to the list of people looking for jobs in a small town,” she said.
Manager of the Armidale SUPRÃ Nicky Carey said the final day of sales was a tough one for the ladies at Ally Fashion.
“All the girls are sad, I think it’s only just hit them now they’re packing up their store that it’s actually happening,” she said.
Since finding out they were being let go, the staff at Ally Fashion started a petition which they said on Wednesday had approximately 500 signatures.
Ms Cox said it would not make a difference at this stage but thanked the community and other retailers for their support.
“It’s not very pleasant that we’re closing today but it’s nice to know we have that support either way,” Ms Cox said.
So far this year Best & Less, Brumby’s and Harrison’s of Armidale have all closed, while Retravision is due to close later this month.
