Four Hughes & Hughes stores have re-opened and another two are set to follow in the coming weeks, saving around 60 jobs.

In an exclusive interview Chief Executive Derek Hughes tells Irish Publishing News about the firm’s strategy, its relationship with suppliers and its intention to honour former customers’ gift and loyalty cards.

Sivota Ltd, a company set up by Pierce Moloney who owns the Bus Stop newsagent chain, is the new owner of Hughes and Hughes.

In an interview, conducted by email, Mr Hughes said that the ‘Strategy going forward is less centralised without central distribution with store managers having a much stronger input into buying. The range will be more local and the focus will on our strengths customer service and knowledgeable committed staff.’

Mr Hughes said that Andrew Waters will be responsible for central buying in the new company – a role he held before Hughes & Hughes entered receivership.

‘The range will be more local and the focus will on our strengths customer service and knowledgeable committed Staff,’ Mr Hughes said.

Mr Hughes said he has received positive reaction from many of their partners in the book industry saying that reaction from ‘suppliers has being extremely positive and any suppliers we have met or spoken with all are very pleased to supply again.’

The bookseller said ‘suppliers are conscious that a monopoly is not good for anyone.’

Mr Hughes has been pleased by customer reaction, which he says ‘has being extremely positive’ with many expressing ‘genuine delight we are back’.

He said the Hughes & Hughes ‘brand has stood up very well as customers and the public understood that the downturn has been so severe and with high rents and upward only reviews bookshops and many retailers could not survive unless rents came down to match the new business environment.’

Mr Hughes highlighted their intention ‘to honour all the Hughes & Hughes gift & loyalty cards, which will be costly but we realise not to do so would damage the brand.’

He said this action ‘is key to our customer commitment and ensuring we will go forward with our customers goodwill.’ Although there are some problems around data protection Mr Hughes said ‘customers have to sign a waiver allowing us to reactivate the card.’