Weltnachrichten – GB – Bonmarché goes into administration for the second time in a year

The fashion retailer Bonmarché has fallen into administration for the second time in a year as the Covid crisis continues to intensify among retailers on the main street.

The Wakefield-based retailer, which was only taken out of management by retail mogul Philip Day in February, sells fashion for women over 50 and has 225 stores and around 1. 500 employees.

RSM, who was appointed administrator, said: â ???? There were no layoffs or closings on the appointment. â ????

When Bonmarché joined the administration last October, the company employed 3. 000 employees and ran 314 stores. Bonmarché closed 30 stores before Christmas 2019.

« Bonmarché remains an attractive brand with a loyal customer base, » said Damian Webb, joint administrator at RSM. It is our intent to continue trading as we work closely with management to explore options for business. â ????

Webb is confident the company will find a buyer. Bonmarché becomes Day’s newest retailer to collapse.

« We will be putting the business up for sale shortly and based on interest so far, we expect there will be a number of prospects, » Webb said.

Last month, fashion chains Peacocks, Jaeger, Austin Reed and Jacques Vert broke into their administration, leaving almost 4. 800 jobs were endangered. The retailers are all part of Day’s Edinburgh Woolen Mill Group, which warned in October that it was on the verge of collapse.

Two other chains from Day, Edinburgh Woolen Mill itself, which specializes in knitwear and fashion for the over-50s, and housewares from Ponden Mill, which brought in administrators in early November. Almost 900 people lost their jobs immediately and another 2. 000 roles are still at risk.

Potential buyers for Day’s weak retailers are Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group and TM Lewins owner Torque Brands, which is controlled by the London-based finance group SCP Private Equity.

Bonmarché, Administration, Wollmühle von Edinburgh, Philip Day