NEW figures reveal Edinburgh Woollen Mill went into administration owing north and west Cumbrian businesses more than £96,000.

The data was filed as part of the firm’s administration process and details exactly where more than £51m was owed.

Eden Systems, based at Warwick-on-Eden were owed in excess of £55,000 when the accounts were filed at the end of last month.

Not included in the above figure is £9,000 owed to Carlisle United and more than £120,000 to Carlisle City Council.

Other standout figures, filed under the guide of Edinburgh Wollen Mill’s sister company Duvetco Limited show £9,240 is still outstanding to Hayton Hardwoods, based at Hayton.

Meanwhile, Allerdale Council is still owed more than £33,000 which is on top of the earlier stated figure.

The owner of one local taxi firm, who is owed £465.75, says he has been waiting for the money since March.

“I don’t think I’m going to get it,” he told the News & Star.

“I used to pick up a staff member every night. I’m not overly chuffed. I have tried on numerous occasions to get it and had no response. I’m thinking we are not going to be forcing the big company. As a small company, not a cat in hell’s chance. But what can I do? It’s not worth taking them to court for.”

Instock Disposables Ltd, who operate out of Kingstown Industrial Estate in Carlisle, are less concerned their money will be returned. They are owed £3,944.59.

A spokesman said: “It is in the hands of our legal team at the moment.

“We have dealt with them for a number of years and I have always found them to be above board and I don’t see any reason why we won’t be paid.

“It is a very difficult situation we are all in and we have to really take onboard the circumstances this happened in.”

The figures show turnover at Edinburgh Woollen Mill fell from £253m in August 2018 to £88.775m in March 2019.

The firm also entered administration with a a £17.5m hole in its defined benefit pension scheme.

In the documents it also outlines liquidation was immediately dismissed as it would severely impact on the ability to realise value of the group’s stock and would lead to significant job losses.

Company Voluntary Arrangements was ruled out due to a belief it would not obtain landlord support, even with rent reductions (in some cases to zero) and a rates free period, a number of stores were still loss-making.

It was agreed the best way to preserve value was to seek a buyer.