Children's retailer Mothercare has put the future of its 79 UK stores at risk after announcing plans to appoint administrators.
The appointment of administrators will put around 2,500 jobs at risk across the UK.
In a statement the company revealed that it had filed administration documents with the court for both Mothercare UK Limited and Mothercare Business Services Limited.
Stores remain open today but the company has warned that the firm will not be able to continue in its current form.
In a statement the company said: "Since May 2018, we have undertaken a root and branch review of the group and Mothercare UK within it, including a number of discussions over the summer with potential partners regarding our UK Retail business.
"Through this process, it has become clear that the UK Retail operations of the group, which today includes 79 stores, are not capable of returning to a level of structural profitability and returns that are sustainable for the Group as it currently stands and/or attractive enough for a third party partner to operate on an arm's length basis. Furthermore, the Company is unable to continue to satisfy the ongoing cash needs of Mothercare UK.
"These notices of intent to appoint administrators in respect of Mothercare UK and MBS are a necessary step in the restructuring and refinancing of the group. Plans are well advanced and being finalised for execution imminently. A further announcement will be made in due course."
