Hardware store to shut doors

Press, 28 November 1977, Page 1

Hardware store to shut doors

Employees of MasonReeces — the new name for Mason Struthers, Ltd and E. Reece, Ltd. the Christchurch hardware merchants and retailers whose trading activities were combined this year — were told on Friday evening that they would be out of a job after December 31.

Mason-Reeces is apparently closing then, although no official announcement will be made until after a meeting today with the clerical and shop assistants’ unions to complete formalities. Brierley Investments, Ltd, has a big interest in Mason-Reeces. at the corner of Colombo and Lichfield streets.

However, a Brierley spokesman would not confirm details of the announcement to employees, until "proposals to assist the staff” were ironed out.

About 26 persons will be affected by the closing. Brierlex Investments last year made a successful offer to E. Reece shareholders through C. R. Chadwick. Ltd, a Brierleyowned Papakura hardware merchant. Later, E. Reece contracted to buy Mason Struthers, with an announcement that its trading activities would be merged to provide a "stronger base for expansion." A year ago, the chairman of both companies assured all staff of continued employment and "greater job opportunities” as the expanded group developed. When the premises were combined earlier this year, more reassurances about jobs were made. One emptoyee said yesterday that' the closing "seems to be a sign of the times.”