Molly’s Den’s three locations, in Bournemouth, Winchester and Christchurch, were shut down on the afternoon of July 2.
When James Irvine and Megan Noble of nearby On the Green Interiors heard the news via social media, they decided to act. The pair had dealt from the centre around three years ago before opening their own premises.
They have purchased the fixtures and fittings of Molly’s Den’s Bournemouth branch as well as its electronic sales system, enabling a smooth handover for those choosing to stay at the shop. All but one of the traders have signed up to return. The pair also agreed to honour the dealers’ deposits, despite this money being lost.
“It’s been a really short process,” Irvine told ATG. “Molly’s Den is very close to our hearts and there are a lot of people who rely on it. We wanted to be helpful.”
As well as renaming it ‘The Den’, Irvine and Noble are in the process of giving the premises a facelift in preparation for its re-opening on Thursday, July 18.
Irvine said that for the “huge community” involved in the emporium, the Den is both a social and a commercial centre.
RSM Restructuring Advisory have been instructed to assist in placing MD Emporium, trading as Molly’s Den, into liquidation.
The firm said in a statement on July 3: “Trading at all of the company’s sites in Winchester, Bournemouth and Christchurch ceased on July 2, 2019, with all 26 staff having to be made redundant. Our agents, Proudley Associates, are liaising with traders in order to have their goods collected and can be contacted on 01425 200 366.
ATG understands that the Winchester and Christchurch branches have ceased trading, although the Christchurch Emporium, which shared its premises with Molly’s Den, is still open.
Further details of the closure and surrounding events have been reported in The Bournemouth Echo.
