THE British Shoe Corporation, part of the Sears group, which owns the Saxone Stores chain, has said it is not selling the stores it owns in the Republic.
There is some confusion, however, over the exact size of Saxone's business in Ireland. The group itself said it only owns four stores, while Irish sources say it owns 20 or more. At least 15 are listed in Irish telephone directories and they also operate in several department stores.
Earlier this week the group announced it was either selling or closing its Ill Saxone and 124 Curtess shoe stores in Britain and Ireland.
Spokespeople for Sears and its British Shoe Division, which runs the shoe operations, said the Irish outlets were not being sold. They said there were only four Saxone stores in the Republic. Irish staff, however, have told The Irish Times that there are at least 20 stores in Ireland.
Mr Joe Donnelly, of Mandate, which represents staff at the stores, said there was around 30 locations in the Republic and that about 250 staff are members of the union. Staff were advised before Christmas that the group would be restructuring the outlets.
The matter of redundancies has been referred to the Labour Relations Commission and a hearing will take place later this month. Mr Donnelly said Mandate was seeking further clarification on the group's plans.