M&Co commences retail location closure plans
High street retailer M&Co, previously known as Mackays, will start closing 170 of its stores across the UK this week, following the chains collapse into administration.
M&Co first went into administration in 2020, but the McGeoch family behind the business bought back the assets, at the time losing 47 of its stores. The clothing chain appointed administrators for a second time at the end of 2022, later being purchased by Peterborough-based company AK Retail.
The deal resulted in the closure of its 170 retail locations, and the subsequent loss of hundreds of jobs. The first shops confirmed for closure are M&Co's Wick and Fort William locations, closing this Saturday. The closures have been confirmed on both stores' Facebook pages.
M&Co's Wick Facebook page said: "The day we have all been waiting for has finally arrived, and we can now confirm that the final trading day for our Wick branch will be Saturday, March 25.
"We won't be receiving any further stock into the store, so hurry and grab your favourite items before they're gone!"
M&Co's Thurso shop is also set to close before the end of the month on Tuesday 28 March, with six more to follow on 1 April. The upcoming store closures include Lewes, Gosport, Belper, Beccles, Newquay and Lerwick.
Teneo, M&Co's administrator, said that further stores will begin to vanish from the high street as store stock dries up, meaning 1,900 jobs are now set to be axed nationwide. However, the administrator has not provided an exact date for its final stores closure.
M&Co has been running a huge 30-60% off closing down sale online and in stores in recent weeks to help reduce remaining stock levels.
