Hawkin's Bazaar hits the rocks (From The Oxford Times)

Hawkin's Bazaar hits the rocks

3:27pm Friday 30th December 2011 in Business By Andrew Smith

Another high street retailer has collapsed following the crucial Christmas trading period.

Tobar, owner of toy shop Hawkin’s Bazaar which has outlets in Oxford’s Westgate Centre and the Castle Quay Shopping Centre, Banbury has been taken into administration putting almost 400 jobs at risk nationwide.

The business will continue to be traded as a going concern by administrator Zolfo Cooper while a buyer is sought for all or part of it.

A Zolfo spokesman said: "The directors have worked very hard to turn the business around but have concluded that administration is the best route forward."

The announcement follows problems at lingerie chain La Senza which has an outlet on High Street, Banbury. It could go into administration within days, while Blacks Leisure, owner of camping accessory store Millets, which has branches in Oxford, Witney, Bicester and Banbury, could go the same way after being put up for sale.

And a buyer is still being sought for Barratts Shoes which has a store in Queen’s Street, Oxford after it went into administration.