First Quench Retailing administrator KPMG is in discussions to sell off the remaining brand names of the defunct off-licence chain.

KPMG UK head of restructuring Richard Fleming said: “We’re hopeful of selling the rest of the brand names as Threshers is very well established. We don’t yet know, though, what the potential buyers will do with the name.”

Fleming added that it has been difficult to sell the business in the tough climate, and that First Quench suffered from competition from the grocers and having grown too big.

The Wine Rack brand was sold to Venus Wine and Spirits last month. Other First Quench brands include Threshers, Haddows and The Local. 90 stores have been sold in small chunks, a further 12 are under offer and the remainder has been passed to property firm Christies to sell off piecemeal. Several of the franchisee-owned shops are in discussions to buy back the leaseholds.

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