JOBS at a Hereford store could be at risk after administrators were called in on Wednesday.

Staff at Bathstore's Belmont Road shop are among 531 staff nationwide facing uncertainty after the company went into administration this week.

The business, which has 135 stores across the UK, will continue trading while administrators at BDO seek a rescue buyer.

Outstanding customer orders will be fulfilled subject to available stock, but all installation services have ceased immediately.

The collapse comes after a failed sales process for the business, which has been owned by American billionaire Warren Stephens since he backed a management buyout in 2014.

Ryan Grant, business restructuring partner at BDO, said: "Despite significant investment into the business over the past five years, Bathstore has struggled to overcome the well-documented challenges facing the UK retail sector.

"The appointment was made after several months of difficult trading, and the failure of ongoing talks to find a buyer for the business.

"Bathstore is continuing to trade in administration, whilst the administrators seek a buyer."

Should a buyer not be found, the failure could deal another blow for Hereford, where the departure of a number of big name and local retailers has left a swathe of empty units across the town.