THE Cath Kidston store at Cheshire Oaks has reopened for a temporary period.

Back in April the struggling fashion chain announced that it would be permanently closing all of its 60 UK stores to trade exclusively online.

Less than a handful of stores are understood to have reopened for a six-month period – having closed back in March due to the coronavirus pandemic – in order to sell through the stock.

Cheshire Oaks confirmed on social media this afternoon that the Cath Kidston outlet had reopened.

The company's owners secured a deal in April to buy back its brand and online operations following its fall into administration.

Baring Private Equity Asia (BPEA), which has held a stake in the retailer since 2014, said it would buy the online business, brand and wholesale arm from administrators Alvarez & Marsal.

It said the move would result in the "cessation of the retail store network".

The company confirmed that only 32 of its 940 staff would see their jobs secured as part of the deal.