A LONDON-BASED businesswoman plans to breathe new life into the famous Ethel Austin name, in a move that safeguards hundreds of jobs in the region.
Entrepreneur Sue Townsend’s Ashloch company yesterday acquired 62 stores from the administrators of Altrincham-based Life & Style. These stores previously belonged to, and traded as, Ethel Austin before it collapsed into administration three years ago. At that point, the stores were bought by Elaine McPherson, who subsequently changed the name of the business to Life & Style before it, too, went bust in June.
Ms Townsend said: “I am delighted with the conclusion to the purchase of the Ethel Austin chain, and I am looking forward to the opportunities and challenges of returning this once great brand back to profitability.”
Yesterday’s deal means 470 jobs have been saved. Another 41 Life & Style stores will cease trading and close down with the loss of 512 jobs.
Ethel Austin was once one of Liverpool’s best-known business names. It was formed in 1934 by Ethel and George Austin from a council house in Anfield.
