BELFAST BRIEFING:The family-run Austins department store is trying to decide who will lead the business in the future, writes FRANCESS McDONNELL.

SEVEN GENERATIONS have made Austins department store, one of Derry’s oldest surviving family businesses, the success story that it is, and it is celebrating its 179th anniversary this year.

Like every family business in the North, it is facing major challenges but one in particular has the potential to shake the foundations of this business to its core.

Many family-run firms across Northern Ireland are seriously contemplating whether they will still be in business this time next year. Austins is rather fortunate that this is not one of its concerns; instead, its immediate challenge revolves around the issue of who is going to lead the family business in the future.

But there is little doubt that, in general, brutal trading conditions and the downturn in the economy have created a hostile environment for most family-run firms.

Austins, which began life as small drapery business in the centre of the city, has become one of Derry’s most famous landmarks.

It first opened its doors in 1830 and down the decades has evolved into a majestic, five-storey Edwardian building.

It has been affectionately referred to as Derry’s answer to Harrods and can give New York’s Macy’s a run for its money when it comes to the number of years it has been trading.

But what sets Austins apart from Harrods and Macy’s is the fact that it is a symbol of a family-run business that has stood firm in the face of both bombs and recessions.

It is also unique in that the history of Austins involves the dedication of two unrelated families who have striven to create and grow a business that in turn has created employment opportunities for hundreds of people.

The Hasson family who now own Austins acquired the business from its founders, the Austin family, in 1976.

It was bought by the current chairman, Larry Hasson (99), and his wife, who already owned three shops. Today Hasson’s sons Luke, who is managing director, and Declan, the financial director, are at the helm of Austins.

They are proud of Austins’ strong family ethos which, according to Luke Hasson, sets the business apart from other department stores.

“What makes Austins different is what makes most family businesses in Northern Ireland different – it is our focus on customers,” he says.

“We believe that customer loyalty comes from treating your customers really, really well. Our mission statement is to make Austins an exclusive shopping experience and a world-class department store and we firmly believe in that.”

Hasson believes family businesses – regardless of the industry – are built on people, customers and staff alike.

But he admits that running a family business has its pressures and in the case of Austins there is one in particular.

“We feel that we have to keep this business for Derry; I don’t think there is a family in Derry that hasn’t in some way had some connection with the store down through the years.

“We employ 103 people and they are very important to us but there is also the fact that we own a listed building – it is a historic building in the city and we have the responsibility of maintaining it,” he says.

As a result, Hasson feels that he is not only a managing director but also “the curator of a historic monument”.

Behind the front of the Edwardian building, which is graced by impressive columns, pedestals and balconies, lies an ultramodern department store in which the Hasson family has invested millions.

Austins is now faced with the question of who is going to take the business into the future.

Both Luke and Declan Hasson are married with families. But none of Luke Hasson’s five daughters currently live in Northern Ireland. The current Hasson management would love to see Austins pass to the third generation but only, according to Luke Hasson, if “they earn the right” to run the business.

“Family is very much the first choice but we have a lot of very talented people in the business,” he says.

Austins will be the subject of a new BBC series entitled Keep it in the Family, which examines the issue of family businesses with a succession dilemma.

Keep it in the Family: Austins Department Store, Thursday, May 28th, at 9pm on BBC Two, repeated Wednesday, June 3rd, at 7pm