The firm, which also owns the Peacocks and Jaeger brands, filed a notice to appoint administrators on Friday, affecting around 24,000 employees. An FRP spokesman added: "Our team is working with the directors of a number of the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group subsidiaries to explore all options for the future of its retail brands Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Jaeger, Ponden Home, and Peacocks." The move comes as Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to unveil new plans for protecting jobs and businesses hit by the second wave and new measures. His empire, which also owns Jacques Vert, Jaeger, Eastex, Austin Read and Windsmoor, acquired Peacocks in 2012, saving 388 stores, after the chain collapsed into administration. Peacock was first founded in Warrington, Cheshire, in 1884 when Albert Frank Peacock founded Peacock's Penny Bazaar.

Source: Daily Mirror October 09, 2020 10:57 UTC