THE WRITING`S ON THE WALL FOR MACCLESFIELD REDEVELOPMENT

Yet another retailer that Cheshire East have told us were anxious to come into Macclesfield have hit the skids.

Sources say the Leeds-based retailer Republic, which has around 120 stores and employs some 1,000 staff, is poised to enter administration.

After undergoing rapid expansion about 10 years ago, it has since seen sales slacken off.

The group is reported to have already lined up the business services firm Ernst & Young to handle the administration.

The company focuses on the youth fashion market, which is fiercely competitive and under pressure.

It will be following in the footstep of a list of High Street stalwarts including HMV, Jessops and Blockbuster.

Republic is owned by the private equity firm TPG, which bought the company in just a couple of years ago for