Allders head office staff sacked

Administrators are focusing on getting takeover talks under way

Three senior executives are among 130 staff laid off by administrators acting for Allders department store, which collapsed last week.

Administrators Kroll said the job axe would fall at the Allders headquarters in Croydon, but that staff at its 45 stores would not be affected.

Chief executive Terry Green, commercial director Phil Cox and finance director Harvey Ainley have lost their jobs.

Meanwhile, about 60 parties have shown an interest in buying the company.

Finding a buyer

High Street retailers and investment vehicles are among those who have made approaches to buy the 138-year-old firm, administrators Kroll said.

Debenhams and discount chain Primark are thought to be among the suitors for all or part of the group, along with private equity groups Alchemy and Sun Capital.

"It is always regrettable to make any redundancies...but this is a business employing approximately 10,000 people and it is necessary to take some tough decisions in order to provide the best chance for the company as a whole," said Kroll in a statement.

There was no further news, however, on whether Allders would be able to honour commitments to its pensions fund, believed to be harbouring a deficit of around £16m.