4,000 jobs under threat as shoe shop chain folds

Nearly 4,000 jobs were under threat yesterday after the owner of shoe shop chains Barratts and Priceless Shoes fell into administration.

The failure of Bradford-based Barratts Priceless followed unseasonably mild weather in recent weeks, which exacerbated already difficult trading conditions.

Administrator Deloitte said it will continue to trade the stores while it seeks a buyer for all or parts of the business.

There are some 3,840 staff working in 191 stores and 371 concessions across the UK.

Deloitte restructuring partner Daniel Butters 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.”

It is the second time the business has been put into administration as Michael Ziff, chairman of Barratts Priceless parent company Stylo, bought 160 shops from Deloitte after the chains were put into administration in 2009. At the time, Deloitte closed 220 stores but Ziff was able to safeguard some 3,000 jobs.

Nick Bubb, a retail analyst at Arden Partners, said: “The secondary high street is struggling whatever you’re selling.

“They were competing with the supermarkets and clothing retailers such as New Look and River Island.”