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The owner of a huge glass-fronted retail unit on Plymouth’s waterfront says it is attracting attention from “high-quality” businesses after its current occupant, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, went into administration.

Sutton Harbour Group Plc (SHG) owns the 7,500sq ft former glassworks building on the Barbican which was converted into a large retail unit and a neighbouring restaurant more than a decade ago.

But current occupant Edinburgh Woollen Mill went into administration in November, after struggling to cope with the coronavirus pandemic lockdown, and SHG said that “arrears have accumulated since April” on the Barbican unit. However, in a report to investors, the AIM-listed company said the building had already been attracting attention.

“We await the outcome of the administration but can report that a number of high-quality inquiries to rent this iconic waterfront unit have been received” SHG said.

Edinburgh Woollen Mill entered administration in November 2020, placing thousands of jobs at risk nationwide. It blamed the lockdown and low footfall since reopening in the summer. The clothing retail group’s Ponden Home homeware chain also entered administration at the same time.

Later in November, other Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group chains , Austin Reed and Jacques Vert also called in administrators. This was followed by the administration of another fashion chain owned by Edinburgh Woollen Mill owner Philip Day, Bonmarche.

The combined chains have hundreds of stores in º£½ÇÊÓƵ high streets and employ thousands of workers. In Plymouth alone, for example, there are three Peacocks outlets, a Bonmarche and two Edinburgh Woollen Mill units.

The Edinburgh Woollen Mill store in Armada Way, in the city centre, is now closed, but the Barbican unit continues to trade, though has been holding a closing down sale.