Jobs are under threat at a fashion brand with stores throughout the North East and North Yorkshire.

Around 1,600 jobs are under threat after fashion retailer Joules revealed it is set to appoint administrators following a failure to secure a vital cash injection.

The brand – famous for its posh wellies – has stores in Yarm, the Metrocentre and Morpeth as well as a stall inside Northallerton’s Barkers store.

Earlier this week, it said talks over an emergency cash-call with investors including its founder Tom Joule were unsuccessful and have ended.

Read more: Joules poised to collapse into administration putting 1,600 jobs at risk

It said it would file a notice of intention to appoint Interpath Advisory as administrators to the firm and its subsidiaries, including online home and garden retailer The Garden Trading Company, “as soon as reasonably practicable”.

Joules said: “The board is taking this action to protect the interests of its creditors.”

The firm will suspend trading of its shares on the stock market due to the decision, adding that further announcements will be made “in due course”.

It is expected to formally appoint administrators in the next five to 10 working days, but stressed that its stores and websites are continuing to trade as normal.

The Leicestershire-based chain employs around 1,600 staff and has over 130 shops.

Next had been in talks with Joules over a deal to buy a minority stake in the business, but discussions between the two collapsed in September.

Where are Joules stores in the North East? 

Yarm 

Metrocentre

Morpeth

Northallerton (at Barkers)

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