WHSmith is reported to be considering a bid for the assets of Irish book chain Hughes & Hughes which collapsed last week.

WHSmith is thought to be particularly interested in taking the retailer’s shops in Dublin and Cork Airports. It has already tendered for the rights to have stores in Terminal Two in Dublin airport.

Hughes & Hughes went into receivership on Friday citing the rise of online book sellers and the fall in passenger numbers at Irish airports as factors that contributed to its demise. Its receiver Deloitte will talk to potential buyers in the next few days. 

The company had sales of around €45m through its airport shops and twelve other Irish stores.

A spokesman for WHSmith declined to comment. 

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