Buy-out secures jobs at fashion group Ness

Part of fashion and accessory business Ness has been brought out of administration, safeguarding more than 35 jobs.

Marta Bot, assistant retail manager at Kiltane (right), and Ness Clothing retail manager Evelyn Rigby celebrate news of the buy-out.

Edinburgh-based property and retail group Kiltane has purchased four Ness outlets - two in the Capital and one each in York and Keswick.

It has also acquired the wholesale and e-commerce divisions of the company.

Before it went into administration in December, Ness operated ten stores in Scotland and five in England plus four concessions. The firm employed 105 people.

Kiltane, which has 75 staff at its stores in Edinburgh, said the move would reinforce its position in luxury cashmere, fine woollens and Scottish tweed.

Managing director Mark Keane said: “This is an exciting development for Kiltane. The addition of Ness to our existing stores builds considerably on our business infrastructure and capabilities, both in retail outlets in prime locations and online.”