The Brantano UK shoes business, which trades as a concession in more than 20 garden centres, called in the administrators this week.

Administrator from PwC said the Leicestershire-based company would trade as normal while they searched for a buyer and its 2000 staff would continue to be paid.

Brantano, which runs 140 stores and 60 concession outlets, was bought by investment company Alteri Investors only last October.

According to Tony Barrell of PwC, the chain was a victim of changing consumer habits as shoppers switched from bricks and mortar retailers to online sources. Brantano was placed in administration "despite sustained efforts to make the business more commercially viable".

A number of Brantano concessions are in Wyevale garden centres. A new one opened at Baytree Garden Centre near Holbeach last May.

Alteri is a business turnaround specialist but was faced with a worse than expected trading position.

A number of possible buyers are reported to have approached approached PwC.