T J Hughes decision could take ten days

Shoppers and TJ Hughes staff in Oldham face an anxious wait to see if the local store has a future as it could be ten days before the Liverpool–based store chain, which has 57 outlets, appoints an administrator.

TJ Hughes suffered poor trading in recent weeks and failed to raise £30 million to help it survive until the autumn, according to reports.

Accountancy firm Ernst and Young is believed to be gearing up to take control of the company in the next few days but there was also speculation that the company could be sold back to its owners in a “pre–pack” deal allowing it to scrap much of its debt and ditch some of its worst–performing stores.

TJ Hughes employs 4,000 people.