Positions in danger at Brantano

Up to 800 positions at out of town footwear retailer Brantano are said to be at risk at the moment, as its new owner considers future options for the business.

Together with sister retailer Jones Bootmaker, Brantano was acquired from Dutch company Macintosh Retail Group last October by investment firm Alteri Partners for the sum of 12.2 million pounds.

Alteri, which is backed by US private equity firm Apollo Global Management, is said to be working together with accountants PwC, who advised Alteri on its purchase last year, to explore options for the business. Although no decisions have been made as of yet for Brantano, the retailer could be restructured or enter administration - solution which would let the footwear retailer shed some liabilities said a source to the Sunday Times.

Any decision made will not affect Jones Bootmaker. At the moment, Brantano operates 140 stores and 60 concession stands throughout the UK. The footwear retailer lost 4.6 million pounds before tax last year, according to the most recent account at Companies House, although sales increase 6 percent to 100 million pounds.

The news of a potential restructuring comes not long after chief executive David Short said that both footwear retailers Brantano and Jones Bootmaker would receive investment to help return them to profit.