A-wear shops close putting more than 300 jobs at risk

Almost 900 jobs are hanging in the balance this afternoon.

A-wear stores have closed across the country, at least temporarily, as the company enters receivership.

Meanwhile, up to 570 workers at Merc pharmaceutical in Dublin have been told the plant is to close.

The shutters have been pulled down on A-wear outlets right across Ireland this afternoon as the receiver, Ken Fennell of Kavanagh Fennell, works to establish which of the stores are profitable.

The Irish fashion retailer had been trading under the protection of an examiner since last month, but sales projections didn't materialise and no viable investor was found.

The receiver still hopes the business can be sold as a going concern.

However not all of the stores closed today will be re-opened, leading to an anxious wait for A-wear's almost 360 staff.

Meanhile, Merck has confirmed its closing its pharmaceutical plant in Swords, with operations to cease by the end of 2017.

130 job losses will come in the middle of next year, with the remaining jobs being gradually phased out by the end of 2017.