Carpetright stores in Inverness and Fraserburgh will close after the embattled retailer unveiled plans to shut 81 stores and tap investors for £60 million under a sweeping restructure.
The chain said 92 overall sites had been earmarked for closure, although 11 have already stopped trading, with the rent on another 113 set to be slashed under the company voluntary arrangement (CVA) proposals being put to landlords.
It said it hopes to relocate impacted staff where possible. Around 300 staff will lose their jobs across the UK.
The group – which employs nearly 2,700 staff overall – also confirmed an investor cash-call to raise around £60 million through a rights issue to put the firm on a firmer financial footing.
The details came as it revealed a “technical breach” of its banking arrangements, but the group said it was taking action to address this and ensure it is amended for the future.
Wilf Walsh, chief executive of Carpetright, said: “These tough but necessary actions will enable us to address the burden of a legacy UK property estate consisting of too many poorly located stores on unsustainable rents, and are essential if we are to restore our profitability and deliver a successful turnaround.
“We will remain in close contact with all colleagues to keep them fully informed as we move through this process.”
