Closure of 114 stores by the administrators of value clothing chain Ethel Austin and sister homewares retailer Au Naturale has been confirmed, resulting in 1,048 workers losing job by end of February.

After failing to raise sufficient revenues, Ethel Austin and sister homewares chain Au Naturale, appointed MCR as administrator.

Ethel Austin, which was bought out of administration in 2008 by former MK One boss Elaine McPherson, has almost 300 stores across Britain.