Philip Green Pledges More Cash to Arcadia's Pension Scheme

LONDON, United Kingdom — British retail businessman Philip Green has agreed to pledge another £25 million to Arcadia Group's pension scheme, Sky News reported on Tuesday.

The latest funding, in the form of security over Arcadia property assets, was part of a bid to secure The Pensions Regulator's backing for the restructuring of Green's Top Shop empire, Sky News said.

The total amount injected to Arcadia's‎ pension fund during the next three years would increase to £385 million from £360 million, Sky News reported.

Last month, Philip Green's wife Tina Green, who is also the group's shareholder, had offered to bridge the pension scheme's shortfall with £25 million per year for the next three years, plus another £25 million contribution, resulting in total payments into the scheme of £100 million.

Arcadia, which runs fashion retailers such as Dorothy Perkins, Miss Selfridge and Evans, had said it would close 23 of its 566 stores in the Britain and Ireland.

Arcadia did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

By Maria Ponnezhath; Editor: Edmund Blair