Doubts over future of Accessorize stores in Northampton and Rushden

The future of Northamptonshire's Accessorize is in doubt after a rescue deal for the struggling fashion chain.

Founder Peter Simon hopes to save up to 100 of the company's 200-plus stores after a late night buyout of Monsoon Accessorize.

Reports of 35 stores that will not not reopen after the Covid-19 lockdown included the shop in Northampton's Grosvenor Centre, but these have not been confirmed.

The Accessorize store at Rushden Lake, which opened in 2017, was not included on that list of permanent closures.

Monsoon Accessorize went into administration before being bought by Adena Brands Ltd in a deal which also covers the retailer’s distribution centre at Wellingborough.

Retail Gazette has reported there will be 545 jobs lost across the company.

Adena is now set to enter talks with landlords of many of Monsoon and Accessorize’s 230 stores in a bid to reopen once non-essential stores are able to unlock their doors on Monday Monday (June 15).

The firm said it went into administration last night because the impact of Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdown since late March made the business unviable.

Both Monsoon’s and Accessorize online operations are continuing.

Simon told Retail Gazette: “We will now try to save as many of our stores as possible, depending on the outcome of various discussions with landlords.

“Ultimately, we hope to be able to save as many as 2,300 jobs in this process, and more than 4,500 in our supply chain, although unfortunately not all of them."

Monsoon closed its outlet in Northampton's Abington Street in 2016 and moved in alongside Accessorize on the ground floor of the Grosvenor Centre, next to Superdrug.