Republic stores call in administrators (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Republic stores call in administrators

2:33pm Thursday 14th February 2013 in News By Rebecca Perring, Reporter

Fashion retailer Republic has collapsed into administration, putting the future of its St Albans branch into doubt.

The men’s and women’s fashion line has a unit in The Maltings shopping centre.

Administrators Ernst & Young say 150 staff in the firm’s head office in Leeds have already been made redundant.

Hunter Kelly, one of the newly-appointed administrators, said: "The brand Republic is well recognised, particularly in the North.

"It has a powerful website offering, owns well-known brand names, and has some very attractive and profitable stores."

The Leeds-based retailer has 121 stores and about 2,500 staff.