The fashion chain registered a statutory loss before tax improvement of £30.7m to £11.2m compared with a loss of £41.9m the same period the previous year.

However, sales fell to £523.8m during the 26 weeks to September 28 from £601.1m during the comparable period last year.

The fashion retailer’s UK and Ireland like-for-like sales decreased 7.4% reflecting “ongoing customer uncertainty”.