A MAJOR clothing retailer with stores across the west of Scotland has collapsed into administration for the second time in two years.

On Friday, M&Co, which has stores in Alexandria and Helensburgh, appointed financial advisory firm Teneo to administer the potential sale of the business as it faces an uncertain future.

They have said there will no immediate redundancies at the moment.

The Scottish retailer, formerly known as Mackay's, which currently employs 1,910 staff at 170 shops across the UK, found itself in a similar position in 2020, but the company's assets were immediately bought back by the family that had built up the firm.

M&Co, which has its headquarters in Inchinnan, Renfrewshire, will continue to trade while administrators explore a potential sale of the business, the firm added.

Gavin Park, one of the joint administrators, said M&Co had experienced a sharp rise in costs like many other retailers which had coincided with a "decline in consumer confidence".

He added: "Despite a very loyal customer base, particularly in local markets, and a well-recognised brand, the current economic outlook has placed increasing pressure on the Company's cash position."

The retailer has shops in Mitchell Way, Alexandria and on Sinclair Street, Helensburgh.

One worker at the company's Alexandria store wrote on a local Facebook group: "It is with a heavy heart, we were given sad news on Friday.

"M&Co, my second family, has entered administration.

"We are devastated.

"I have been employed there for seven years now and although I loved working in other employment, this has been the most amazing company to work for.

"We are not just work colleagues, we are friends and family throughout."