Retailer’s administration threatens 169 jobs

The jobs of 169 retail staff in the West Midlands are at risk after shoe shop Brantano appointed administrators.

The company, which is headquartered in Hinckley, Leicestershire, employs 1,089 staff across 73 stores and 64 concessions.

The 160 year-old company has 13 stores and eight concessions across the West Midlands.

Brantano Retail was acquired by a company controlled by Alteri Investors in 2016 in a £12m deal.

But since then, despite sustained efforts and streamlining to make the business more commercially viable, it has experienced difficult trading conditions.

Administrators at PwC said a sale of the company was explored with Shoe Zone rumoured to be in the running.

Tony Barrell, lead administrator at PwC, said: “Despite significant improvements in the business and reductions in the cost base, trading has continued to suffer in a depressed and competitive footwear market.

“Like many other retailers, Brantano has also been hit hard by the sharp decline in sterling, the ongoing shift in consumer shopping habits and the evolution of the UK retail environment.

“The administrators are continuing to trade the business as normal whilst assessing the trading strategy and any interest in parts of the business over the coming days and weeks. However, regrettably, it is inevitable that there will be redundancies.”