The administrators of value clothing chain Ethel Austin and sister homewares retailer Au Naturale have confirmed the closure of 114 stores and 1,048 redundancies.
This follows the announcement earlier this month that 129 shops were to start closing down Sales.
Most of the 114 stores will cease trading by the end of February.
Geoff Bouchier, joint administrator and partner of administrator MCR, said: “In light of the current economic climate these stores identified for closure did not attract a purchaser. Regrettably, as a result of their current financial performance, these stores will shortly cease to trade.”
Ethel Austin’s remaining 162 shops will continue to operate as usual while a buyer is sought.
“We are still hopeful of selling the remaining business and discussions are ongoing with a number of interested parties. The dealings relating to the closure stores will not effect the operations of the continuing stores,” said Bouchier.
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