AULDS stores in Johnstone and Paisley are set to remain open despite the business making major cuts.

A total of 18 stores, including one in Renfrew, have been closed and 105 jobs lost since the family-owned bakery announced it was in a 'unsustainable loss-making position' last month.

But today it has been announced eight stores, including those in Paisley's Piazza and Johnstone's High Street, will remain open.

A total of 75 jobs have been saved across the company as a result of the move, the company said.

Joint liquidators from RSM Restructuring Advisory were appointed to the group's retail arm, Thomas Auld & Sons Ltd, in early August, and formally closed that business yesterday. 

The company said it faced difficulties with increasing ingredients, distribution, and wage costs over several years.

The group reported a loss of £430,000 on a turnover of £15.4million in the year to April 2017. Turnover increased from £15.2m the previous year.

Alan Marr, managing director of Aulds, said: "It goes without saying we deeply regret the jobs lost and do not underestimate the impact that will have on the individuals involved and their families.

"We only embarked on this course of action after exhausting every other possibility, but we were simply unable to sustain the losses being made by the retail business.

"We're extremely pleased that we've been able to preserve 75 roles as part of this process and keep the Aulds brand on the high street."