Ethel Austin falls into administration

Value clothing retailer Ethel Austin, which opened a store in Hull less than three months ago, has gone into administration along with its sister company Au Naturale.

It is the second time in two years the group has called in administrators.

Geoff Bouchier, David Whitehouse and Philip Duffy, partners at MCR, have been appointed joint administrators and said the company would continue trading in administration with a view to finding a buyer for the businesses as a going concern.

However, they warned that in the current economic climate, there were no guarantees a buyer would be found.

Mr Bouchier added: "We are reviewing the financial position of the companies and are at this stage, unable to rule out store closures and redundancies."

Ethel Austin Au Naturale opened its doors in Prospect Street, Hull city centre, in November last year creating 18 jobs.

The 13,000sqft shop had been empty for 11 months following the closure of Woolworths.