Addleshaws, Muckle thrash out Officers Club rescue

Addleshaw Goddard and Muckle led the legal involvement in the administration and subsequent rescue of menswear retailer Officers Club.

Addleshaw Goddard partner Andrew Smith was instructed by administrator PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in late December when the company fell ­victim to the economic ­slowdown.

PwC put the retail chain up for sale and its chief executive and founder David Charlton has stepped in to take on 118 of the 150 stores.

Charlton turned to North West firm Muckle. Commercial services partner Matt Collen led the team.

Collen said: “It was very important to be able to move quickly on this deal, to safeguard jobs and allow the company to continue trading throughout the whole vital Christmas ­period.”

It is thought that the deal will save around 900 jobs, although hundreds are ­still likely to be lost. The remaining 32 stores are expected to close within days.