Easons to take over airport units
THE Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has confirmed that Easons is to take over the airport's book stores after the collapse of Hughes & Hughes, saving 120 jobs at Dublin and Cork.
The licence between the two covers five stores at Dublin Airport and two outlets at Cork Airport.
As part of the agreement, Easons, which is one of Ireland's leading book and stationery retailers, some 120 former Hughes and Hughes employees are likely to be retained. Hughes & Hughes has been placed in receivership but the stores at Dublin and Cork airports continued to trade under an agreement between the DAA and the receiver, David Carson of Deloitte. The DAA said it has worked closely with the receiver in recent days to keep the profitable airport outlets open. Under the agreement, Easons will pay the DAA a percentage of turnover rather than a fixed annual rent. DAA Commercial Director Jack MacGowan said the company was pleased to have signed an agreement with Eason and Son to operate the former Hughes & Hughes airport outlets. 'The DAA was deeply saddened to see a receiver appointed to Hughes & Hughes, as we had worked with them for many years at Dublin and Cork airports,' Mr MacGowan said. He added: ' The Hughes & Hughes airport business is and was profitable and the agreement with Eason and Son will secure 120 jobs and ensure continuity of service for our customers at Dublin and Cork airports. Hughes & Hughes' contract with the DAA permitted the airport operator to terminate the licence in the event of the bookseller going into receivership.
- John MANNING
