Austin's Department Store

Synopsis

Series looking at family businesses where the next generation is unwilling to take over.

Etablished in 1830, Austin's of Derry is the oldest department store in the world. It survived a fire in 1908 and several bombings during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, but can it survive the challenges of succession?

Luke Hasson, the store's 66-year-old owner, is desperate to retire, but his children have made their lives elsewhere, far from Derry. The eldest of his five daughters, 39-year-old Sinead, runs a successful business in the cut-throat world of recruitment, and her only retail experience is as a teenage Saturday girl. How will she cope with the challenges of managing staff in 14 departments, and is she willing to give up her established life and business in London to help save the family firm in Northern Ireland?

Credits

Narrator

Lesley Sharp

Director

Chris Williams

Producer

Chris Williams

Producer

Jonney Steven

Producer

Dominick French

Executive Producer

Bridget Sneyd

Executive Producer

Joanna Ball

Broadcasts

1. Thu 28 May 2009
   21:00
   BBC Two
2. Wed 3 Jun 2009
   19:00
   BBC Two (except Scotland)
3. Wed 24 Jun 2009
   02:20
   BBC One