The region's two remaining M&Co shops are among 170 at risk of closing after the fashion chain went into administration.
The sites in Alnwick and Chester-le-Street are currently open, but may close if the M&Co - formally known as Mackays - can't find a buyer. The Scottish-based chain announced it had called in administrators Teneo Financial Advisory on Friday, who are looking for another company to take over the business.
Established in 1834 as pawnbrokers, Mackays switched to selling clothes in 1953 by brothers Len and Iain McGeoch. In 2005 the company rebranded as M&Co. to reflect a more modern image, but there have been several store closures in the North East over the past few years, including those in Hexham and Ashington, Northumberland, and Durham, Consett and, Bishop Auckland in County Durham.
