Store bosses set off fire alarm then sack staff in car park

Staff at a 189-year-old department store were told they were being made redundant after being rounded up in a car park by a bogus fire alarm.

Workers at Robbs, in Fore Street, Hexham, Northumberland, gathered outside after the alarm was deliberately set off to clear the store of customers on Wednesday morning.



In the car park they were made aware of the impending bad news.

Shortly afterwards, they were read a statement telling them the store - which has been in Hexham since 1818 - would be closing in less than two weeks.