Jobs could be at risk in Lichfield after retailer TJ Hughes announced it was intending to call in the administrator.
Reports have suggested that the company has seen a decline in sales and failed to raise money required to survive until the autumn.
The Liverpool-based firm operates 57 department stores across the country and employs around 4,000 staff nationwide.
TJ Hughes was only bought by a private equity group three months ago, but factors such as the rise in VAT and a decline in the housing market have been blamed for the business’ demise.
The company’s website has been taken down and replaced with a maintenance page and the firm has given notice of its intention to appoint an administrator.
Were the Lichfield store to shut it would be a major blow to the city’s retail landscape, with the likes of Adams, Early Learning Centre and Currys closing in recent months.
And further pain could be on the way as chocolate company Thorntons announced that it is planning to close a minimum of 120 stores across the UK in the next three years.
