THERE was uncertainty last week after the department chain store Allders was placed in administration.

The firm has a large store employing 155 people in the Kingfisher Centre but it was unclear what the future of the shop would be last week.

However, a spokesman for administrators Kroll said the store's staff would continue to be employed and paid for the foreseeable future while it looked to sell the company as a going concern.

Kroll said Allders had suffered "tough trading conditions" recently.

Allders had tried to find a buyer when it was put up for sale last month

Kroll partner Andrew Pepper said: "Several parties have already expressed interest in the business and we will be contacting them immediately.

"This level of interest so early makes us hopeful a going concern sale can be achieved.

"We appreciate customers who've paid deposits will be concerned but we want to reassure them we want to retain their custom and will make every effort to honour commitments made.

"We would invite such customers to contact the store where they paid their deposit."

Mr Pepper added: "We appreciate this is a worrying time for employees and their families and we will regularly keep them informed of developments.

"The continued support of employees is vital as we seek buyers for the business."

Allders, which has 45 stores across the country, had a turnover in the year to June 2004 of £524 million.