Jobs at risk as high street chain calls in administrators

Hundreds of jobs are at risk as a fashion chain with four Kent outlets calls in administrators.

The British operations of Ted Baker, which has a store at Ashford Designer Outlet, a section inside Canterbury's Fenwick store, and shops in Bluewater and Bromley, is understood to have filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators.

Sky News reports that it comes just weeks after a licensing partnership was abandoned.

It says that No Ordinary Designer Label (NODL), which trades under the Ted Baker brand, filed a notice of intention to appoint Teneo Financial Advisory as administrators, today.

Job losses are expected but the number is not confirmed.

About 18 months ago, Ted Baker was bought by ABC for roughly £210 million. Subsequently, a brand licensing partnership with AARC, a Dutch company, was ditched.

ABG's chief strategy and transition officer, John McNamara, said: "Despite our tireless efforts, the damage done during a period under AARC in which NODL built up a significant level of arrears was too much to overcome.

“We wish that there could have been a better outcome for the Ted Baker employees and stakeholders. It is hopefully some consolation for customers that NODL will continue to trade online and in stores.

"We remain focused on securing a new partner to uphold and grow the Ted Baker brand in the UK and Europe where it began."