Scottish independent retailer enters administration

McEwens, the Scottish independent family-run department store, has gone into administration with the loss of 110 jobs.

Established in 1868 as a womenswear retailer, the company has a flagship department store in Perth, which features a restaurant, hair salon and medi-spa, as well as two smaller stores in Ballater and Oban.

Joint administrators Blair Nimmo and Tony Friar of KPMG said McEwens employed 110 staff at the time of the administration, and that 64 were made redundant immediately, with 46 staff members remaining to assist the administrators.

The stores in Ballater and Oban have both closed while the Perth store has reopened for a closing down sale.

In a statement, McEwens chairman John Bullough and his wife Georgina said: "Despite our exhaustive search for investor and partner solutions, all negotiations with the bank have failed and, unfortunately, we have run out of options.

"Our thoughts are with all 130 wonderful McEwens staff who face redundancy. We are grateful to them for their hard work and all our friends and colleagues for their advice and support.”

Bullough added: ”Although this is extremely disappointing and sad for us both as this comes at great personal cost, we can stand tall in the knowledge that we have done everything in our power to support the business and the city centre of Perth.”

Commenting on the administration, Nimmo said:“Despite the directors’ best efforts, McEwens of Perth continued to incur trading losses as a result of the many challenges being felt by the retail sector. Inevitably this has led to the unfortunate demise of a well-known and highly-regarded brand.

“We have started a closing down sale in a bid to realise assets, and are grateful to the remaining staff for their efforts and assistance. We are working with those staff made redundant to ensure they receive the necessary support from relevant agencies.”

Image: McEwens