Wick and Thurso M&Co shops confirm closure
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A statement released by the two M&Co branches in Caithness has confirmed that the stores will close.
Posted on Saturday on the Facebook pages of M&Co branches across the north of Scotland, the statement said there was no future for stores or staff.
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.
"We will trade all of our stores until Easter, and then begin the close-down process.
"We will update you closer to the time, of our actual closing date.
"We hope you will appreciate this is also a very difficult time for staff working in the stores and we ask for respect and understanding when raising an issue.
"We thank you all for your continuous support, and we hope to see you all over the next couple of months."
The news follows reports in national newspapers and a retail trade publication that 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 Sunday, February 12, at stores.
Branches urged customers to cash in their gift cards before they miss out.
Along with Wick, Thurso, Inverness, Peterhead and Inverness stores, branches in Orkney, Glenrothes, Castle Douglas, Berwick and Largs published similar statements.
Branches across England also shared the notice.
