Laura Ashley is reopening its Mansfield store for a closing down sale – and these are the discounts on offer

The shop, on St Peter's Retail Park, will open on Saturday, June 20 with ‘dramatic reductions' promised for customers.

There will be at least 50 per cent off fashion in-store, the retailer said, with the price of all furniture being discounted by 30 per cent. A strict social distancing policy will be in operation on the premises, with a limited number of shoppers allowed inside at any one time, and regular deep cleaning will take place.

Fashion and furnishing company Laura Ashley began in the 1950s and is well-known for its printed fabrics, often featuring floral patterns.

The firm collapsed into administration in March as the pandemic worsened – however, in April, the brand and its archives was sold to US financial advisors and turnaround specialists Gordon Brothers. This gives the buyer the right to use the name, but the deal spelled an uncertain future for the chain’s 147 British stores.

Joint administrator and PwC partner Rob Lewis said: ”We still believe there is value in the group and we remain open to interest, however, should a going concern sale not be possible we may be required to initiate a controlled store closure programme.

“The company is continuing to trade to sell the stock on hand.”

Despite the store closures that are expected to follow the ‘everything must go’ sale, the Laura Ashley brand will remain online and as a concession at other retailers.

A spokesman for Laura Ashley said, “There are some fantastic deals to be found in-store, as everything is now reduced and, with at least 50 per cent off fashion, we expect clothing ranges to sell out fast. We are extremely mindful of the current Covid crisis and customers can be assured that the stores will be Covid secure.”

Laura Ashley, who was born in Wales, began by printing fabric with her husband Bernard on their kitchen table in 1953, following an exhibition at the V&A museum on traditional handicrafts. By the time of her death in 1985 the company was a global concern.

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