Yorkshire site saved as retailer goes into administration

A women’s retailer with a site in York has gone into administration putting 100 jobs at risk.

Ness Clothing, based in Edinburgh, has had to close seven stores to date after administrators were appointed in December.

Now, as a further three stores in Scotland are closed with 13 redundancies made, administrators have insisted that Ness’ existing sites in York, Inverness, Keswick and two in Edinburgh, will continue to trade.

The most recent three, in Perth, Edinburgh and Glasgow, have ceased to trade this week.

BDO LLP business restructuring partners, James Stephen and Matthew Tait, were appointed joint administrators over Ness Clothing on Friday 23 December 2016.

They are continuing to trade the business with a view to a sale as a going concern. There are talks ongoing with a preferred bidder and administrators are “hopeful” that a sale of the business will be completed soon.

The company employed 105 people across its head office and chain of outlets.

James Stephen, BDO business restructuring partner, said: “Discussions with the preferred bidder are progressing well and shoppers and loyal customers continue to support the business. However, further store closures have been unavoidable in the current difficult trading climate. Regrettably, 13 staff from these stores will be made redundant.

“We encourage local shoppers and loyal Ness customers in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth to visit the stores over the coming week to take advantage of the sales and discounts available on all items, with up to 70% off RRP.”