THE Oswestry branch of a UK clothing retailer will remain open, despite closures for other nearby stores.

In April Mackays Stores Ltd, parent company to M&Co, who have a store in Cross Street, announced they had appointed Deloitte as administrators to try to save the high street business.

The firm has completed the financial restructuring exercise, saving more than 2,200 jobs but closing 47 stores.

But fortunately for staff and shoppers alike, Oswestry's Cross Street branch will remain open.

Mackays Stores Ltd chief executive officer, Andy McGeoch, said the impact of Covid-19 exacerbated an already difficult retail environment, necessitating the closures.

"As everyone knows, retail has been one of the sectors hardest-hit by Covid-19, with long-term shop closures and social distancing having a hugely negative impact," said Mr McGeoch.

"Like many of the UK's best-known high street names, we've been facing up to a number of underlying business challenges in the current retail environment, which have been exacerbated by the impact of Covid-19.

"Being forced to close all our stores for several months meant a huge financial hit.

"We reopened most stores in June and have been exploring every possible option, but it was obvious that the business, as previously structured, would remain under severe pressure from the ongoing challenges of Covid-19.

"It quickly became clear that best way to save most jobs and most stores was to enter administration, with a new company acquiring the assets of the old business, and this process has now been finalised."