'Sad, devastating and a bitter blow' – M&Co stores in Wick and Thurso set to close
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The loss of a national retailer from Wick and Thurso high streets could lead to concerns over the future of other services and retailers in the towns.
Trudy Morris, chief executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, said the news that M&Co was to close around Easter would be "incredibly disappointing" for the communities.
The company, which has been in administration, said its two fashion stores in Caithness would be among those to close across the country.
A statement published on Saturday said there was no future for M&Co stores or staff in its branches across northern Scotland, which includes the shops in the centres of Wick and Thurso.
It said: "Unfortunately we haven't received the news we would have hoped for during our administration period, and would like to share this news with you.
"As we haven't received any funded, deliverable offers that would result in the transfer of the company's stores or staff to a potential buyer, this means that all of our stores will close.
"The M&Co 'brand' has been purchased, but unfortunately this does not include a future for our stores, website or staff."
The statement goes on to say that the Wick and Thurso shops will trade until Easter and the "close-down process" will begin soon after, with no firm date given for the Caithness branches shutting.
Trudy Morris, chief executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, said: “M&Co has been a prominent feature of our local high streets for many years – news of permanent store closures will be incredibly disappointing news for our community who rely on this national retailer.
"The impact of the closure will be felt throughout the high street and both local people and businesses will be concerned about the sustainability and loss of more services in our town centres. These are sizeable properties to be left empty. This is also a bitter blow for local employment with the staff now faced with redundancy at a very difficult time.”
Chair of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council, Joanna Coghill, said she was "saddened" to read the M&Co announcement and added that it would be a "big blow for the staff there, and a blow for our High Street".
She continued: "The Wick team have always been so helpful and cheery to shoppers, supporting many local charities, hosting fashion shows and running raffles. The girls will be sorely missed by many from the young and the not-so-young."
As for the actual closure of the store, Mrs Coghill said it will "sadly" mean there will be another empty shop in the town centre. "Not the best news for Wick when we are working very hard alongside Highland Council on our Sustrans bid for funding to support our High Street improvements."
However, she added a brighter note by saying that the store closure could provide the "ideal opportunity for another clothing/household business to step in".
Thurso Community Council said the closure of M&Co will be "devastating to the town".
"Where are the people of Thurso supposed to buy their clothes now? It will leave a large vacant building on the pedestrian area of the town. Hopefully, a fashion retailer will see the benefits of having a shop in Thurso, for the young and the old of the area. The staff of M&Co must be devastated that their jobs have gone as they are dedicated to their jobs, always so kind and helpful."
The M&Co brand and intellectual property has been sold to a leading online clothing retailer. However, shops and staff were not part of the deal. Statements from branches elsewhere in Scotland said some stores could continue trading until mid-April, but an end was inevitable.
A further statement was posted that gift cards would only be accepted until this Sunday, February 12, at stores. Branches urged customers to cash in their gift cards before they miss out.
Along with Wick and Thurso, stores in Inverness, Peterhead, Orkney, Glenrothes, Castle Douglas, Berwick and Largs published similar statements. Branches across England also shared the notice.
