USC, the fashion chain backed by Sir Tom Hunter, today became the latest high street name to enter administration.

Branded casualwear chain USC has 58 stores, and Hunter's investment vehicle West Coast Capital is to immediately buy 43 of them out of administration. The remaining 15 stores wil close following the latest so-called "pre-pack" deal.

The pre-pack will save the jobs of 1,127 of USC's 1,400 staff at the business which is based in Dundonald in Scotland.

Bryan Jackson of PKF has been appointed administrator. "As has been well publicised retail operators are facing extremely challenging times. Given these circumstances this is a positive deal which retains the majority of jobs and shops," he said.

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