Latest news with #JohnAtkins
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'I am angry for the unbelievable staff who did so much for us'
The husband of an 'inspirational headteacher' who was cared for at a Liverpool hospice before her death has said he is 'terrified' for families in the city after a decision was made to permanently close the facility's only inpatient unit. Ros Atkins died in October 2022, just a year after being diagnosed with stage four terminal bowel cancer. The former headteacher of Weston Primary School, was just 43 when she died. In the lead up to her passing, she was cared for by the staff on the inpatient ward at the Marie Curie hospice in Woolton. On Wednesday it was announced that the ward will be permanently closed by the charity. Heartbroken staff have spoken out at their anger and sadness at the decision, claiming that more people will die in pain at home in Liverpool after the decision to close one of just two such hospice units in the entire city. READ MORE: easyJet flight from Liverpool declares emergency shortly after take off READ MORE: Mourners of gangsters allegedly shot dead by Liverpool gunman issued sinister warning ahead of funeral That sense of fear and fury has been shared by John Atkins, who said the care his wife received before her death was 'amazing' and said he is deeply worried about families that will not have access to such an important facility in the future. Speaking to the ECHO, John said: "I'm astounded that Marie Curie think this is the way to treat the community. The staff at that hospice are just magical people who do amazing work for people at the most difficult time in their lives. They are superheroes. "No one knows when they will need that care. I drove past that hospice for 20 years without ever really knowing what went on inside it until we needed it. "I shudder to think about the families who won't have access to that vital safe space when they need it. People are petrified about dying at home in pain and the Marie Curie unit provided a safe space to avoid that. "This is a facility that is entrenched in the local community and I don't understand why the charity would take a decision that would alienate that community. I think it is an incredibly short-sighted decision and it is just terrifying to think that Since the death of his wife, John has become a keen supporter of Marie Curie, but he said the decision made this week would make him think twice about where his fundraising efforts. He said: "It makes you question things. It does make me question where I spend my money." He added: "I am angry. I am angry for the people who will need this service. I am angry for everyone who has donated money to it and I am angry for the unbelievable staff who did so much for us." Other bereaved families have also spoken out after news of the closure was announced. Maureen Craig whose husband Ian died at the hospice said: "This hospice belongs to the public. There has been a hospice at that site since 1959. "Our loved ones died there. This land is not just prime real estate, it is sacrosanct to the thousands of families whose loved ones spent their final days there. "There are even ashes scattered at the site. If Marie Curie are not prepared to open the inpatient ward. It should be returned to the community so it can once again offer the dignified end-of-life inpatient care Liverpool deserves." A statement from Marie Curie chief executive Matthew Reed, released earlier today, said: "Marie Curie chief executive, Matthew Reed, said: "This has been an incredibly tough decision. We understand it will be difficult news for future patients, our staff and volunteers and the local community and we thank them for their support through a period of uncertainty. 'I would like to assure all those who need end of life or palliative care now that we continue to provide this through our Enhanced Hospice Care at Home service - which we seek to expand further - and our outpatient clinics through which we can support more people with the funds we have available. "We will also continue to work closely with other hospices and hospitals in Liverpool when patients need inpatient care. 'Like our partners at the ICB, we believe everyone should have access to high quality palliative and end of life care and we remain totally committed to play a part in delivering this for the people of Liverpool, recognising that most end of life care is already provided outside hospice buildings." He added: 'Both the ICB and Marie Curie face significant financial deficits; as a charity, we must ensure our finances are sustainable and our finite funds benefit as many people as possible. 'We remain fully committed to working with the ICB and our partners to find sustainable ways to provide for palliative and end of life care - including inpatient beds - in Liverpool. 'We need to reach a long-term solution with government and healthcare system partners as costs rise, and demand grows. 'Our priority right now is to support our staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to support patients and their loved ones. We also thank the people of Liverpool for their generous support.' The charity said its Liverpool hospice remains open for all other services, including outpatient clinics, wellbeing services and will act as a base for its Enhanced Hospice Care at Home service which delivers expert specialist palliative and end of life care to people in their own homes.
Miami Herald
06-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Popular pet and garden chain closing all locations, no bankruptcy
Business Popular pet and garden chain closing all locations, no bankruptcy Usually, when a retail chain closes, it follows a predictable arc. The company runs into financial trouble and that causes it to make inventory choices that affect its ability to recover. A store can't improve its bottom line, in most cases, by having fewer items to sell. That was clearly part of the sad collapse of both Sears and J.C. Penney. The two brands made an effort to cut their inventory expense, which led to stores having less merchandise to show off. Related: Forget eggs, new Chapter 7 bankruptcy causes new food problems It also led to customers not finding what they wanted as the chains both reordered from their vendors less often. That created a situation where customers would see the items they wanted, but only in oddball sizes like extra-small. Dying stores tend to fall into the vicious circle that's very hard to get out of. It takes money to run a store and when cash gets tight, vendors actually make the problem worse. In many cases, if a supplier learns that a client has cash flow issues, they ask to be paid upfront or on shorter terms. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter That can take a company that's teetering on the edge and push it into failure and bankruptcy. Not all retailers follow that path. Some choose to not push toward bankruptcy, but instead make a dignified decision to close on their own volition. Competition in the pet space has become intense. Image source: Shutterstock The pet space has become very competitive Most pets eat the same food for most, if not every, meal. They also tend to play with similar toys and, if you have a cat, use the same litter every time. That makes it very hard for a brick-and-mortar pet supply chain to compete because ordering online with an an automated cadence makes sense for most pet parents. You can get all the basics (and a lot more) from Amazon or Chewy, so that makes a visit to the pet supply store more of a luxury than something that's required. Pet food and kitty litter can also be quite heavy so having a delivery person bring it to your door is also an advantage. Food and Dining stories: That may be the reason why Smithland Pet and Garden Centers, a local institution in New England, has chosen to close its doors. The company shared some of its deep history on its website. "Our 13 locations have become the trusted source for customers seeking lawn, garden and pet supplies, along with competitive pricing and expert in-store advice. Smithland Pet Centers in Massachusetts, formerly known as Dave's Soda & Pet City, employ the same inventory and staff from its previous incarnation, and generations of customers continue to entrust us with their pets' health and well-being," the company shared on its website. All Smithland locations will close Now owned by CT Gardens LLC, the chain's CEO John Atkins told WWLP about the decision to shut down. "Since 1985, Dave's Soda and Pet City, myAgway, and Smithland have been more than a place to shop," Atkins said in a statement. "They've been places where pets were pampered, gardens were grown, wild birds were fed, and neighbors became friends." All locations will close between now and the end of June. No going-out-of-business sale date has been set, but the retailer will hold a Customer Appreciation Sale at all Smithland locations from May 6 to May 11, with 10% off all non-sale items. Traditionally, the chain has held a Mother's Day sale. Related: After bankruptcy, iconic 80s restaurant chain makes comeback "We hope you'll stop by, say goodbye, and take advantage of some wonderful savings during this time. Most importantly, we hope you know how deeply thankful we are to serve you over these many years," Atkins said. The chain's website remains operational, but says that all orders placed online are for in-store pickup only. The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc. This story was originally published May 6, 2025 at 11:32 AM.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Smithland Pet & Garden Centers to close all locations after 40 years in business
NORTH BRANFORD, Conn. (WWLP) – Smithland Pet & Garden Centers has announced that it will be closing all 13 of its stores in western Massachusetts and Connecticut by the end of June. After 40 years of providing pet, garden, and backyard supplies to the region, the company announced on Monday its decision to close down all retail locations. Citing persistent inflation, economic challenges, and fierce market competition, Smithland's parent company, CT Gardens, LLC, ultimately chose to liquidate the business. How this Chicopee bar is celebrating Cinco de Mayo Formerly known as myAgway and Dave's Soda and Pet City, Smithland has been a resource for a variety of home and animal products in New England. For decades, the stores served as community hubs where customers could shop for pet supplies, garden goods, bird feed, and more. CT Gardens, LLC CEO John Atkins said that businesses will plan to close between now and the end of June. 'Since 1985, Dave's Soda and Pet City, myAgway, and Smithland have been more than a place to shop,' Atkins said in a statement. 'They've been places where pets were pampered, gardens were grown, wild birds were fed, and neighbors became friends.' A Customer Appreciation Sale is being held at all Smithland locations from May 6 to May 11, with 10% off all non-sale items. This event coincides with the store's annual Mother's Day Sale and serves as a lead-in to the upcoming liquidation sales. 'We hope you'll stop by, say goodbye, and take advantage of some wonderful savings during this time,' Atkins said. 'Most importantly, we hope you know how deeply thankful we are to serve you over these many years.' A list of all the Smithland locations set to close are as follows: Smithland Pet & Garden Center : Agawam Smithland Pet & Garden Center – Agway: Bethel, Conn. Smithland Pet Center: Hadley Smithland Pet Center: Ludlow Smithland Pet & Garden Center – Agway: Manchester, Conn. Smithland Pet & Garden Center – Agway: Middlefield, Conn. Smithland Pet & Garden Center – Agway: North Branford, Conn. Smithland Pet & Garden Center – Agway: North Haven, Conn. Smithland Pet & Garden Center – Agway: Northampton Smithland Pet & Garden Center – Agway: Old Saybrook, Conn. Smithland Pet & Garden Center – Agway: Southington, Conn. Smithland Pet Center: Ware Smithland Pet & Garden Center – Agway: Westfield WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
