Claire's Accessories could close 16 Scottish stores after falling into administration

Sixteen Claire’s Accessories stores in Scotland are at risk of closure after the business was recently saved from total collapse.

Legal documents revealed in August that the US-based fashion and jewellery chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Delaware court.

It came after mounting financial pressure from weak consumer demand and ongoing supply chain disruption.

However, administrators at Interpath said the majority of Claire’s UK business and assets had been sold to Modella on September 29, securing its future on British high streets.

The sale included around 1,000 staff working across stores in the UK and Ireland.

But 145 Claire’s shops were not included as part of the deal, meaning around 1,000 jobs remain at risk.

Claire’s operates 2,750 stores across 17 countries, including around 280 across the UK – 25 of which are in Scotland.

It has now been revealed that 16 stores across Scotland will not be transferred to Modella as part of the transaction and a closing-down sale is under way.

A spokesperson for the joint administrators said: “Our priority remains to assess all of the options available for the Claire’s stores which did not transfer to Modella as part of the transaction announced on September 29.

“In the meantime, however, we have commenced closing down sales in each of the stores in order to sell the remaining stock.”