FIVE JANE Norman stores in Ireland have closed, and the fate of the UK fashion chain’s Newbridge outlet and a number of concessions still hang in the balance.

The women’s clothing retailer became the latest UK high street name to fall foul of the recession when it went into administration on Monday after failing to find a buyer.

The chain shut down its stores last weekend, and its administrator, Zolfo Cooper, confirmed yesterday that five of the chain’s Irish stores would not reopen. These outlets are in Dublin shopping centres Liffey Valley and Dundrum, as well as Galway, Dundalk and Cork. The administrator was unable to confirm how many jobs will be lost.

Zolfo Cooper announced yesterday that 33 out of a total of 94 standalone Jane Norman stores across the UK and Ireland have been sold with immediate effect to Edinburgh Woollen Mill. Just one of the 33 stores saved from closure is in Ireland, and is in Sligo.

Negotiations relating to the possible sale of a further 28 stores, and a number of concession outlets, are still ongoing between the administrator and Edinburgh Woollen Mill.

The Jane Norman store in Whitewater Shopping Centre in Newbridge, Co Kildare, is being considered as part of these talks.

The retailer also operates a further seven concession outlets in Ireland, four of which are in Debenhams stores in Tallaght, Blanchardstown, Tralee, Cork.

These concessions will continue to trade for the moment “with a view to securing the sale of these as well”, Zolfo Cooper said.

The remaining three Irish concessions are in Tempest stores in Dublin, Letterkenny and Tullamore. The administrator did not comment on the future of these.