Frasers Group to cover fees owed to Harvey Nichols stylists

British retail giant Frasers Group has said it intends to pay personal shoppers and stylists owed money by Harvey Nichols under its former owner, with most payments expected to be made in full within 72 hours.

The payments will be made on an ex gratia basis, meaning Frasers is not legally responsible for the outstanding fees following its acquisition of the department store. Without the intervention, the self-employed workers would have had to claim through the administration process.

The group has further stated it would change how Harvey Nichols pays personal shoppers and stylists going forward, moving from quarterly to monthly payments to reduce the time between work being completed and payment being received.

A Frasers Group spokesperson said in a statement given to the media: “Whilst this would normally be a matter for the administrator with no obligation falling upon Frasers Group, we would like to reassure these individuals that we will ensure they are paid swiftly and in full.”

The move follows Frasers’ acquisition of Harvey Nichols on 13 August through an administration process. The deal included six UK stores, its online business, inventory, international franchise agreements and more than 1,000 employees. The London flagship and stores in Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds and Edinburgh continue to trade, while the Dublin operation entered liquidation.