BARGAIN Booze owner Conviviality plans to appoint administrators within the next ten business days "unless circumstances change", putting 2,500 jobs at risk.

The company said it will continue trading over that period in the hope of preserving "as much value as possible" for its stakeholders.

It will keep working alongside advisers and said it is exploring "a number of inbound enquiries regarding a potential sale of all or parts of the business".

There are Bargain Booze shops in Consett, Blackhill, Crook, Darlington, Fencehouses, Houghton le Spring, two branches in Middlesbrough, New Herrington, two branches in Newcastle, Northallerton, Pickering, Redcar, Richmond, Shildon, South Shields, Whitby, and two branches in York.  

"Following discussions with its lending banks, the board has resolved to file notice of intention to appoint administrators to the company," Conviviality said in a market announcement.

"Unless circumstances change, and in accordance with statutory requirements, the board intend to appoint administrators within ten business days."

Over the past few weeks, the firm has seen its chief executive Dianna Hunter step down after issuing a string of profit warnings and revealing a £30m tax bill.

Conviviality was forced to go cap in hand to investors to raise £125m as a result, but has been unable to convince them of its long-term future.

Ms Hunter, a former Waitrose director, had been chief executive since 2013 and led the group through its stock market flotation in the same year.

She also oversaw a number of acquisitions, including Wine Rack, Matthew Clark and Bibendum.

Non-executive chairman David Adams has taken her place until further notice.

The company's collapse would cap a nightmare quarter for the retail sector.

Since January, Toys 'R' Us and electronics retailer Maplin have filed for administration, while fashion retailers such as New Look and Select have embarked on radical store closure programmes.

Piling on the misery has been the under-pressure casual dining sector, with Prezzo, Byron and Jamie's Italian all shutting restaurants and cutting hundreds of jobs.