Shock as jobs lost with closure of big city retail park clothing store

A national fashion chain store has dealt Inverness another significant jobs blow by closing down permanently.

OUTFIT, at Inverness Shopping Park, had already temporarily shut its doors under new Scottish Government tier four restrictions for the Highlands.

Now all staff – with the number of employees affected not yet disclosed – have been told they will be made redundant.

The popular clothes and accessories outlet brought together under one roof a wide variety of high profile brands like Topshop, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins, Topman and Burton.

The store was owned by Sir Phil Green’s controversial retail firm Arcadia, which entered administration on November 30.

Administrators are seeking a buyer to rescue the troubled group.

The demise of the outlet also represents a fresh setback for the Inverness out-of-town retail park, skirting the A96, which already has a number of vacant premises with permanent closures of big-name stores including Mothercare in 2020, Homebase in 2019 and Maplin in 2018.

The city has also been hit by the announcement that the Eastgate Centre's flagship Debenhams store will close in early 2021 after liquidation of the parent company.

A spokesman for the Arcadia confirmed the Outfit store in Inverness had closed permanently, but could add no further comment.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.