DESPITE the problems faced by fashion chain The Designer Room, the Hartlepool store has a positive future, experts said yesterday.

The chain, which has 46 outlets nationwide, went into administration in June with 18 of its stores having to close.

However, a buyer is being sought for the operation at Jacksons Landing, at Hartlepool Marina, with administrators Begbies Traynor of London hopeful one can be found.

Vivian Bairstow, from the administrators, said: "Hartlepool will continue to trade while the search for a buyer continues. It is one of our flagship stores, and it is very much business as usual.

"It is unique in the North-East in that it is a big discount department store. It was my first time in Hartlepool yesterday and I came to see how the store operates.

"I am very impressed by it. We have set out a six-month rolling business plan and are very hopeful for the future.

"We have had a lot of interest in the store and there is no threat to the 43 people we employ here."

The store was originally a tenant of the Jacksons Landing Mall at the marina, which opened in 1995, and was called the Fashion Emporium.

In 1997 de Keyser took over the business, which was renamed The Designer Room.

Following an £8.5m management buyout from de Keyser, led by former managing director Richard Walton, and including retail director Charlotte McHardy and finance director Graham Symes, the factory outlet centre had a facelift last October, changing into a department store offering branded merchandise at discounted prices.

Mr Bairstow said: "I really want to remind people that the store is still open. We do have a strong customer base and a lot of support and as such we may sell the Hartlepool store as an on-going concern away from the rest of the group. In fact I am confident we will find a buyer for it."

The store is open this weekend, from 10am to 6pm today and 11pm to 5pm tomorrow and Monday.