Leonard Curtis sale sees 800 jobs saved at Mark One

Administrators from Leonard Curtis have pulled off the sale of a major slice of Mark One stores only six days after taking over at the embattled fashion retailer.

Neil Bennett and Michael Healy announced the sale of 85 stores to Internacionale Retail Limited today, saving about 800 jobs.

'We are delighted to say that we have been able to sell the bulk of this business within a matter of days and we have been able to save the jobs of well over half of the employees,' said Bennett.

However Mark One's head office in Acton is set to close which will result in 'some job losses' the administrators said.

The futures of about 600 staff at 40 more stores still hang in the balance. 'We are evaluating the remaining stores although if purchasers cannot be found these may have to close, the administrators added.'

The value fashion retailer, previously known as MK One, was rebranded back to its original name of Mark One but fell into administration again in September. This followed on from MK One collapsing in May after being sold to Hilco by Baugur, the troubled Icelandic investment firm.

'We believe that this time the new business has a strong future and we wish management and staff every success,' added Bennett.