Store staff await fate

Staff at local Ethel Austin stores across the borough are bracing themselves for bad news after the administrators of discount retailer and sister homeware chain Au Naturale cut 469 jobs.

They are also launching a closing–down sale at 129 stores.

At the group’s distribution depot, 404 jobs will go and a further 65 at its head office, both in Knowsley.

The administrators said 129 loss–making outlets from the group’s network of almost 300 stores would begin a closing–down sale tomorrow, although they have not ruled out a rescue if a willing buyer can be found.

Ethel Austin has stores in the Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre and the Arndale Centre in Middleton.