THE department store McEwens ended its days trading in the centre of Perth today as its doors closed for the last time.
The company’s Ballater and Oban branches shut down in March when the firm went into administration earlier this year, but the flagship Perth store continued trading while a closing down sale was held.
More than 100 jobs have now been lost as a result of the family firm’s collapse.
The store chain, which specialised in fashion, cosmetics and homeware, had been trading at its St John Street site in Perth since 1868 but hit difficulty as it suffered ongoing trading losses.
Meanwhile, interested parties have until the end of the month to make an offer for the company’s intellectual property (IP) rights. Assets include trade mark rights protecting the McEwens of Perth brand, as well as rights over a selection of branded websites, domain names and databases from the company’s e-commerce side.
IP consulting firm Metis Partners, which is handling the sale on behalf of KPMG, said the brand had “significant cachet value as the name to trust for high end and bespoke fashion in Scotland”.
The brand and the department store’s other intellectual property assets have attracted interest from the UK and overseas, said Metis Partners.
The consultancy said the marketing process was continuing, with best and final offers above a minimum level of £25,000 being invited by noon on June 1.
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