MORE than 1,500 jobs will be lost at Knowsley-based discount retail chain Ethel Austin after administrators announced the closure of more than a third of its stores, its distribution centre and head office job cuts.

MCR, which was appointed administrator this Monday, said closing  down sales will commence from tomorrow, February 11, in 129 loss-making stores out of almost 270 operating under the Ethel Austin and Au Naturale brands.

Closure of the warehouse in Knowsley will cost 404 jobs and 65 head office staff were made redundant after a mid-day briefing today.

Staff were devastated and one said some were in tears and others were left “bewildered”.

However, MCR partner and joint administrator Philip Duffy who is trying to sell the firm as a going concern said he has been contacted by a range of potential buyers: “We have received a lot of calls to date from various parties.

John Gorle, Usdaw union national  officer, said: “This is devastating news for our members. Usdaw will be doing  everything we can to minimise the impact of these redundancies and help  members through this difficult time.”