All Sussex M&Co stores to close after chain collapses

It has six shops across the county - in Hove, Lewes, Seaford, Bexhill, Crowborough and East Grinstead.

All of its 170 branches across the UK will shut in spring.

The Scottish chain was bought by AK Retail after being put into administration for the second time in December.

• READ MORE: High street retailer to close after company enters administration

However, branches around the UK announced on social media that the deal did not include the stores or staff.

In a post on Facebook, the retailer said: “Unfortunately we haven’t received the news we would have hoped for during our administration period, and would like to share this news with you.

“As we haven’t received any funded, deliverable offers that would result in the transfer of the company’s stores or staff to a potential buyer, this means that all of our stores will close.

M&Co in Broad Street, Seaford (Image: Google Maps)

“The M&Co brand has been purchased, but unfortunately this does not include a future for our stores, website or staff.

“We will trade all of our stores until Easter, and then begin the close down process. We will update you closer to the time of our actual closing date.”

M&Co, previously known as Mackays, is said to have started as a pawnbroker in Paisley, Renfrewshire, in the 19th century but switched to selling clothes in the 1950s.

AK Retail said it is “considering all options”.

The Peterborough company, owners of Yours Clothing, BadRhino, Long Tall Sally and Pixiegirl, last week announced that it had purchased the M&Co brand from the administrators for an undisclosed sum.

AK Retail said: “M&Co was put into administration for the second time in December.

“Chief executive Andrew Killingsworth said that he is delighted that this longstanding brand would be kept alive.

“At the moment we are considering all options as we continue to work with our online, third party partners and others.”