EIGHT people lost their job this morning as the Watt Brothers store in Clarkston closed its doors.

Administrators were appointed to the department store today, October 18, with 229 staff across Scotland being made redundant with immediate effect.

The branch on Eaglesham Road is one of 10 stores to close as staff were told their jobs were axed today.

Blair Nimmo and Alistair McAlinden, of KPMG UK LLP, were appointed as Joint Administrators of Watt Brothers which has been in business for over 100 years.

Blair Nimmo, Joint Administrator and UK Head of Restructuring at KPMG, commented: "Despite the director's tireless efforts to increase margins, cut costs and recapitalise the business, Watt Brothers continued to incur trading losses as a result of the well-publicised challenges being experienced across the retail sector.”

"Ultimately this has led to the unfortunate demise of a well-known and highly-regarded business.”

"We will be holding a stock clearance event, and are grateful to the remaining staff for their efforts and assistance at this difficult time.

"We are working closely with Skills Development Scotland, via their PACE team, and JobCentre Plus to support the staff who have been made redundant."

“We would encourage any party who has an interest in acquiring the business and its assets to contact us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with an interest in buying the business or assets of the company should contact Alistair McAlinden, Joint Administrator, on 0141 226 5511 or at wattbrotherssaleofbusiness@kpmg.co.uk.