Staff at Beales in Perth had retained hope their store would be saved before the axe fell on Friday.
More than 30 employees are set to lose their jobs after joint-administrators at KPMG announced the Perth branch would shut along with 11 others across the UK.
The Courier understands the employees were only made aware that their store would be shutting a few hours before the announcement was made public.
One staff member said employees had remained “hopeful” that their store would survive.
Deputy First Minister and SNP MSP for Perthshire North John Swinney said he would be writing to colleagues to ask what help was available for staff.
Mr Swinney said: “I am very sorry to hear the news about Beales, and my thoughts at this time are with the employees and their families.
“I will be writing to Jamie Hepburn, the Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills, to see what support is available to Beales staff.
“I would also ask that any employees contact me directly, should they feel I can be of assistance.
“This is further evidence of the pressing need to ensure Perth’s city centre’s future as a viable shopping location.
In the weeks ahead, I will be liaising with the council to explore what steps can be taken to offer greater support to businesses and traders in Perth.”
It is thought the 12 stores set to be axed will continue to trade for the next eight weeks, running closing down sales.
Employees are expected to be kept on for the eight-week period to assist with trading and the joint administrators say they will “continue to work closely with staff during this period”.
Pete Wishart, SNP MP for Perth and North Perthshire, said he was “immensely disappointed” with the way Beales had handled the closure.
He said: “This must have been a dreadful weekend for everyone employed at Beales with the knowledge that the store will now be closing.
“I hope that everything possible is done to assist those back into work.
“I remain immensely disappointed with Beales and I do not think that they were ever serious about trying to find a new owner for the store.
“From pre-emptively putting up ‘store closing’ signs to failing to properly engage with those trying to find a solution, theirs was not the behaviour of a company pre-occupied with trying to find a solution.”
A spokesperson for KPMG said: “No offers have been received in respect of selling all 23 stores as a going concern.
“As a result, the joint administrators are now in the process of developing plans with store directors and management teams to implement the closure of 12 stores.”
