A clothing empire that started in the front room of a Liverpool terrace house became a household name that eventually sold for £122m.
For years, Ethel Austin stores were a common sight on North West and North Wales high streets before the chain's collapse in 2013. The story of the once successful retail giant started with the woman from which the store took its name.
The budget conscious clothing brand was started in 1934 by mother of three Ethel Austin and her husband George. Setting up shop in the front room of their terraced house on Bishop Road in Anfield, Ethel began selling wool and helping neighbours with their knitting.
