180 Yorkshire jobs at risk as retailer goes into administration
Administrators have been appointed at 160 year-old shoe retailer Brantano, putting 180 Yorkshire jobs at risk.
The company operates 73 stores and 64 concessions, employing 1,089 staff. Its Leicestershire head office is based in Hinckley, and employs 71 staff.
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. However a deal could not be completed and the historic shoe retailer was placed into administration for the second time this year.
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. Staff will be paid their arrears of wages and salaries, and will continue to be paid for their work while the business is in administration.”
Brantano’s Yorkshire stores are in Barnsley, Bradford, Catterick, Darlington, Doncaster Wheatley, Glossop, Guiseley, Hull Anlaby, Hull Kingswood, Keighley, Leeds Seacroft, Rotherham, Scarborough, Selby, Sheffield Heeley and Wakefield.
