Fears for Mothercare’s UK shops

MOTHERCARE has brought in restructuring experts from accountancy giant KPMG, raising concerns for the future of its 79 stores and 2,500 staff.

The struggling High Street retailer, which fell to a £36.3m loss and shut 55 stores last year under a controversial company voluntary arrangement (CVA), has been trying to sell its UK arm. The company is now considering closing more stores or asking landlords for rent cuts, but a sale is believed to be preferred, The Sunday Times reported.

Mothercare boss Mark Newton-Jones wants its UK stores to become franchises, to mirror its profitable international business – effectively turning the retailer into a branding and product supplier. A spokesman said: ‘Our priority is to complete the transformation of the business.’