End of an era: Heartbroken Topshop staff share pictures of empty Meadowhall branch as stores disappear forever

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The Meadowhall store is one of 300 Topshop stores that have closed after ASOS confirmed it had sealed the takeover of the brand along with Topman, HIIT and Miss Selfridge from the troubled Arcadia group.

As part of the the £265 million deal, 2,500 people have lost their jobs.

Emma Rawding, who worked at Topshop for 18 years and had climbed the ladder to become a manager at the Meadowhall store, said the closure signalled the ‘end of an era’.

Heartbroken staff said the closure signalled the end of an era.

She said: “I’m absolutely gutted. Eighteen years of wearing my Topshop/Topman lanyard with pride at Chesterfield where my journey began and Meadowhall where it’s ended.

“It’s been an pleasure working with my Topshop/Topman family, lots and lots of amazing memories and friends made along my journey.

“I wish everyone lots of love and luck. End of era, it’s just not going to be the same.”

It is understood that thousands of Topshop store staff were officially informed their jobs were for the chop just two hours after ASOS announced its takeover.

Topshop team leader Emma Rawding shared heartbreaking pictures of the empty Meadowhall store.

Administrators for Arcadia said ASOS has paid an extra £65 million for current and pre-ordered stock.

ASOS told investors earlier this month that it would take on around 300 employees as part of the takeover, but not from any Topshop or Topman stores.

The Topshop store on Fargate closed in March last year before the building was snapped up by Superdrug.

The closures are another huge blow for Sheffield retail after Boohoo bought the Debenhams brand from administrators who said all 118 stores would close- including department stores on The Moor and in Meadowhall.

The store had been up and running in Meadowhall since the early 2000s.

Non-essential retailers are currently closed due the pandemic and, once allowed to reopen, Debenhams sites are expected to trade for up to six weeks before closing for good when all 10,000 staff will be made redundant.

Boohoo has also acquired Dorothy Perkins, Wallis and Burton which will affect shops on the Moor, in Meadowhall and at Crystal Peaks.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.