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Sunderland salutes return of retailer

A well-known Northumberland retailer which went into administration last year is marching back to the high street.

The menswear store Officers Club has reopened its Sunderland branch after another firm stepped in to take over.

The company, formerly based in Cramlington, was one of the biggest retailers of its type with 150 shops, but fell into trouble in December last year with 32 shops closing instantly - including the branch at Sunderland’s The Bridges shopping centre.

900 jobs were saved when a new firm, TimeC 1215 backed by Officers Club founder and chief executive David Charlton bought 118 stores. The Sunderland store has now become the first to re-open.

David Charlton said: “I am delighted that we have been able to retain jobs for our employees in a climate that has seen the rapid erosion of employment in the region.”

Mr Charlton also thanked Land Securities, owner of The Bridges, whom he says have been very supportive in helping him retain and re-open the branch.

The first ever Officers Club shop was opened in the city in 1992.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .