Mamas & Papas has closed six stores across the UK, making it the latest nursery and maternity retailer to enter administration, following Mothercare’s announcement just three days ago.
The six unprofitable Mamas & Papas stores have been closed today, with branches in Aberdeen, Preston, Milton Keynes, Lincoln, Leamington and Fareham. The move has made 73 staff redundant with immediate effect, with 54 further jobs at risk within its head office.
Bluegem Capital, which has owned the business since 2014, has bought the company assets back through a pre-pack administration by a pre-pack administration conducted by Deloitte, which will cut some of its financial liabilities.
The company, which had 27 stores and three concessions, said its remaining stores will continue to trade as normal, as well as its digital, wholesale and concession arms. Plans to simplify head office operations could lead to further job losses.
“These actions are always difficult but they are also necessary in a challenging market to ensure Mamas & Papas achieves its considerable future potential,” said chief executive Riccardo Cincotta. “We remain fully focused on maintaining our position as the UK’s most popular nursery brand.”
He continued: “We will continue to review our store portfolio in the light of customers’ changing behaviour and we remain fully committed to an omni-channel offering that reflects their evolving needs.”
