Shrewsbury branch of Jane Norman fashion chain closed

Women's fashion firm Jane Norman fell into administration today in a move which could put up to 1,600 jobs at risk.

Accountancy firm Zolfo Cooper hopes to find a buyer for the stricken retailer, which closed its 90 stores on Saturday.

The Shrewsbury branch of the store in Pride Hill was closed today, with centre management unsure of when it would reopen.

But House of Fraser, which hosts a Jane Norman concession in Telford Shopping Centre, said it was operating as normal.

Media reports have suggested that Jane Norman could be sold imminently in a so-called pre-pack administration deal, with department store chain Debenhams and knitwear firm Edinburgh Woollen Mill reported to be among the potential bidders.

Pre-pack administrations are controversial because creditors, such as suppliers, can lose out as some of the debts are scrapped.

Jane Norman, which specialises in selling to women between the ages of 16 and 25, is the latest retail victim of the squeeze in consumer spending brought about by the financial crisis.

A spokesman for Pride Hill said: It's a well respected brand, and nobody knows that is going to happen at the moment.

"It is certainly closed today, and as yet we don't know why or for how long."