THIRTEEN jobs are at risk days before Christmas as high-street show chain Barratts went into administration.
The 13strong staff will continue working at the County Mall branch as a new buyer is sought.
Business advisory firm Deloitte has been appointed administrator of the Barratts Priceless Group.
The news follows a succession of retail woes with budget department T J Hughes closed and a host of high street names such as Topshop and Dorothy Perkins at risk as consumer spending power plummets.
Daniel Butters, joint administrator at Deloitte, said: “Barratts and Priceless Shoes have faced a downturn in trading as a result of the difficult economic conditions. This has been exacerbated by the unseasonably mild weather in recent weeks which resulted in fewer sales across new winter lines. We will continue to trade the stores whilst we seek a buyer for all or parts of the business as a going concern.
“We are working closely with suppliers to ensure the business has the best possible platform to secure a sale, preserve jobs and generate as much value as possible for all creditors.”