The Oxfordshire retail scene has suffered another blow after discount clothing chain Peacocks announced it intends to go into administration.

The group has four Peacocks stores at Headington and Cowley in Oxford, and Banbury and Didcot, while its susidiary Bonmarche has outlets in Cowley, Banbury and Didcot. All are continuing to trade.

The company said managers had entered into “exclusive talks” with a potential buyer and that to protect the business during this process, it had filed an intention to appoint administrators.

The Cardiff-based retailer employs more than 10,000 staff at 611 shops across the UK.