Administrators at Deloitte briefed workers yesterday, February 12, that they had so far failed to find a buyer for its remaining 82 stores, together employing 656 staff.

Lee Manning, Deloitte partner and joint administrator, said: "While it has not yet been possible to sell Land of Leather, we continue to talk to interested parties and our goal remains to find a buyer for the business as a going concern. However, it is prudent to make contingency plans and we have notified all employees of the risk of redundancy and store closures should a buyer for the business not be found."

He reassured customers that goods were still being received from suppliers, and his aim was to fulfill as many existing orders as possible.

The Kent-based furniture retailer called in the administrators on January 12 after poor trading.