Fashion chain shuts 12 stores

A FASHION chain formed after last year's collapse of Ethel Austin has been forced to shut 12 stores, including four in Scotland.

By The Newsroom

Published 20th Jul 2011, 23:38 BST

Updated 21st Jul 2011, 11:42 BST

The Life & Style Retail shop in Livingston has closed. Branches in Johnstone, Fort William and Leven have also been shut.

The chain has made 440 staff redundant since it entered administration on June 10. The latest closure will see 181 employees laid off.

A spokesman for shopworkers' union Usdaw said the company is in talks with at least one party interested in buying the business.