Some of the more high profile closures since the start of the year have included Miss Selfridge, Jack Wills, Escape and Beghins in central St Peter Port, while Smilers at the Bridge was advertising a closing down sale recently.

Pubs and clubs have been affected by the apparent economic downturn in and around our high street hub too with Barbados night club closing just before Christmas and Laskas and The Townhouse closing since then. The White Hart pub is due to shut this weekend.

Pictured: The former Miss Selfridge store in the Arcade is one of those which has closed already in 2019. All of the staff employed here are believed to have found alternative work. 

With the number of retail businesses closing so far in 2019, ESS has decided to issue formal advice to staff who may have lost their jobs.

Deputy Michelle Le Clerc, the President of ESS, said; "we sympathise with anyone who has lost their job in these circumstances.

"The Job Centre always has vacancies for jobs in retail.There are 21 such vacancies listed on gov.gg today, and there is constant turnover. So we hope that people aren’t without work for too long."

Pictured: Some of the retail roles currently being advertised at gov.gg.

Among the employers looking for staff at the moment are Jojo Maman Bebe, the White Stuff, Burtons and the Cornish Bakery in town while Shoezone and Le Friquet Garden Centre are among those out of town. 

Deputy Le Clerc said there is help available for those who can't find a suitable role though.

"Don’t delay in asking for a bit of help from us. The Job Centre will be pleased to help people with their job search. When we hear of a firm closing, we always try to contact the management to offer our assistance to the staff."

The latest unemployment statistics saw 305 out of work in January, up just six on the year before.