Last-minute sale saves Ethel Austin shop

May 23 2008 by Rebecca Edwards, Chester Chronicle

A LAST-minute reprieve has been granted to the Ethel Austin store in Frodsham, which was set to close after more than 30 years’ trading in the town.

Six members of staff faced redundancy and were ordered to clear stock at the Eddisbury Square store two weeks ago when the Liverpool-based Ethel Austin chain went into administration.

This week, administrator Menzies Corporate Restructuring announced the Frodsham store had been saved following the sale of Ethel Austin to a new company formed by Elaine McPherson, former chief executive of value fashion chain Mk One.

The sale price was undisclosed, but administrators said it was the highest offer received for the Ethel Austin retail empire, which dates back to 1934.

Frodsham store manager Janet Cummins, an employee there for more than 20 years, said staff were “made up” and looking forward to welcoming back customers to the popular store.

McPherson said she planned to “breathe new life into Ethel Austin which, despite obvious trading difficulties and the recent regrettable store closures and job losses, remains a great value brand with a strong customer base”.

She added: “I will be undertaking a thorough review of the business to transform its trading performance and safeguard jobs. I want to return it to its former glory and that may involve a revamp of stores and product range.”