Oddbins’ administrator Deloitte is in discussions with a handful of trade and private equity buyers to rescue the 89-store chain.

There is thought to be interest in the chain – which collapsed into administration on Monday – as a going concern, and secondary interest from buyers looking at stores and stock. GA Europe is understood to be among the private equity houses interested.

Joint administrator Lee Manning said that, while off licence chains have had their sales eroded by supermarkets, Oddbins was an attractive business with “an established brand and customer loyalty”.

Oddbins collapsed after its plans for a CVA were thwarted by creditors including HM Revenue & Customs. Oddbins has a turnover of £75m and employs 400 people.

Oddbins was the fourth administration in just over a week. Alworths, the ‘son of Woolworths’, fell into administration last week.

Furniture chain Easy Living and menswear chain Officers Club also hit the wall last week.

Topics