TWO of Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group's entities have fallen into administration.

Despite a two-week extension granted by the high court to find a viable rescue package, The Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Ponden Home could not be saved.

As a result more than 800 jobs have been lost.

EWM Group and its other subsidiaries, including Jaeger and Peacocks, are not part of the administration.

Representatives for EWM said both businesses were trading well prior to the COVID-19 pandemic but that lockdown restrictions and low consumer confidence and footfall of core customer demographics, including senior shoppers and international tourists, had a significant impact on trading performance.

In recent weeks, prior to administration, 56 The Edinburgh Woollen Mill stores and eight Ponden Home stores and concessions were permanently closed.

On appointment, 750 roles at The Edinburgh Woollen Mill and 116 roles at Ponden Home were made redundant.

Tony Wright and Alastair Massey, partners at specialist business advisory firm FRP, were appointed as Joint Administrators on Thursday.

Mr Wright said: “Recent months have proven extremely challenging for many retailers, even those that were trading well before the pandemic, including the teams at Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Ponden Home. The administrations will provide some further protection while we continue our search for buyers to secure the long-term futures for both businesses.

“Regrettably, the impact of COVID-19 on the brands’ core customer base and tighter restrictions on trading mean that the current structure of the businesses is unsustainable and has resulted in redundancies. We are working with all affected members of staff to provide the appropriate support.”

The companies will continue to trade online and in-store, subject to the respective national lockdown restrictions in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.