Arcadia Group, the high street fashion retailer that includes the Burton, Dorothy Perkins and Evans brands, saw turnover fall 10 per cent in Ireland in the year to the end of last August. The group blamed "extremely difficult" trading conditions for the decline.

Arcadia Group Multiples (Ireland) Ltd recorded a £1.74 million (€2.2m) pre-tax loss compared to a £763,000 loss a year earlier on turnover that fell from £19.5 million to £17.6 million.

During the year under review the company incurred an exceptional charge of £726,000 related to a provision against future leasing obligations of the group’s loss-making stores.

The group, which employs 360, said staff costs totalled £4.6 million, versus £5.4 million in the preceding year when an extra 15 were employed.

An Arcadia subsidiary, the womenswear company Wallis Retail (Ireland) Limited, reported turnover that fell 9 per cent to £9.9 million, as against £10.8 million a year earlier.Wallis recorded a £419,000 pre-tax loss.

Staff costs, for the group, which employs 184, totalled £2.2 million, versus £2.7 million in 2014.