More jobs gloom in Kilmarnock

Jan 2 2009 by Stef Lach, Kilmarnock Standard

THERE was even more bad news for Kilmarnock shoppers this week as kids’ clothing outlet Adams applied to go into administration.

The Adams group employs 2000 people across the UK, all of whom face an anxious wait to discover the fate of the business. The branch on Kilmarnock’s King Street is just yards from doomed Woolworths which is set to close for good any day now.

It was announced on Monday that up to 300 jobs are under threat after fashion retailer USC was put into administration.

USC’s head office is in Dundonald.

Bryan Jackson of PKF, who has been appointed administrator, said 15 of the group's 58 shops across the UK were affected.

However, a deal has been negotiated with the chain’s owners, who will buy back 43 of the stores in a move they claim will safeguard 1127 jobs.

The remaining 15 stores will be temporarily run by the administrator.

USC was established as a single shop by Angus Morrison and David Douglas in Edinburgh in 1989.

It was bought for £45m in 2004 by West Coast Capital, which is owned by Scottish entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter.