A MUSIC store which last year announced expansion plans has gone into administration after a failed internet venture.

Family-run Williams Music Group employs more than 150 people in stores across the country, including one in the Gateshead Metro Centre and a flagship store in Darlington.

Originally based solely in the North-East, Williams expanded over the past ten years from three piano shops to 11 outlets throughout the UK.

The group has eight branches across the North and franchises in Nottingham, Poole, Exeter, Brighton and Stratford.

But on Friday, the doors were closed and a sign in the door of the Darlington store simply read: "The store has ceased trading until further notice."

The news comes as a shock, with the group reporting good figures last summer.

In June, group director Ken Campling told The Northern Echo that the company would be expanding its activities, with turnover exceeding £10m.

It is understood the company invested heavily in marketing, and in its relaunched website, www.williams-music.co.uk

But yesterday, the website was unresponsive.

A spokesperson for KPMG, the administrators, said: "KPMG were appointed administrators on Friday afternoon by the directors of the business.

"As such, proceedings are at a very early stage.

"The reason we believe they have gone into administration is that they set up an internet venture that has lost money.

"I can confirm that the stores are now closed and employees have been sent home.

"The administrators closed the doors so they can gather information about the business to get a more complete picture of the situation.

"The stores will remain closed until we have done so."

Mark Firmin, KPMG partner and joint administrator said: "We are most definitely looking for interested parties to buy the business as a going concern."

The business was formed in 1910 by keen musician and amateur conductor George Williams, who started out selling pianos off the back off a horse-drawn cart.

If you have paid a deposit for goods that you have not yet collected, or have an item within the shop for repairs, contact 01642-603530.