The embattled retailer, which appointed administrators for its UK business in early November 2019, said that it “remained in discussions with a number of prospective new debt providers” about refinancing the business.

The group has been trying to leverage new finances all year, having raised £8.7m from investors and agreed £20m worth of new equity with Numis in January.

Refinancing talks may be hamstrung, however, by the news that interim chief executive Glyn Hughes has stepped away from the business.