MENSWEAR retailer, Blue Inc has closed its Lisburn store in Bow Street Mall, at a cost of around 10 jobs.
The news comes after it was reported on Monday that the chain, which had 11 stores in the north, has asked professional services firm, Begbies Traynor to find a buyer for the business.
According to Sky News, the retailer, which has been through a number of restructuring processes and previously shed unprofitable stores, is seeking new owners to take control of the business "in the short term".
It is understood that staff in Northern Ireland were told last week they had six months of work left and if the company was unable to find a buyer the business would likely fall into administration.
It is believed that the retailer employs up to 100 staff in Northern Ireland, whose jobs are now at risk as the future of the company has been plunged into fresh doubt.
Bow Street Mall, which was put on the market for £18 million last month, confirmed that the Blue Inc store closed its doors yesterday morning.
Blue Inc could not be reached for comment yesterday.
It has been a challenging 2018 for the UK high street, which has already suffered from the closures of the likes of Maplin, Poundworld and Toys R Us.
Fashion retailer New Look has also axed dozens of stores, including its Forestside Shopping Centre outlet, while department store heavyweights, Debenhams and House of Fraser face uncertain futures.
The north has also struggled, with the Primark fire at Bank Buildings in Belfast city centre leading to a sharp decline in retail footfall.
