Hope for Millets' workers (From The Oxford Times)

Hope for Millets' workers

9:18am Friday 6th January 2012 in Business By Andrew Smith

Workers at Millets camping stores in the county whose future has been under a cloud after its parent company hit financial trouble, have been offered a glimmer of hope.

Bosses at Blacks Leisure have confirmed the business will go into administration after failing to find an outright buyer.

But the company, which runs Millets stores in Oxford, Witney, Bicester and Banbury, employing about 30 people, hope to salvage most of the business after receiving offers for significant parts of the group.

Dragons' Den star Peter Jones, Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley's Sports Direct and sportswear firm JD Sports are among the likely bidders.

It is hoped a deal will help save many of the jobs by allowing buyers to cherry-pick its best assets, including the profitable stores.