Jaeger collapses with 700 jobs at risk

There are more than 100 stores and concessions across the country, with local outlets at Boundry Mill in Walsall, Birmingham's Great Western Arcade on Colmore Row and a concession in the John Lewis store in Solihull.

The group's directors have appointed AlixPartners to oversee the process following failed attempts by the company's private equity owner, Better Capital, to sell the struggling business.

Jaeger – which employs around 680 staff across 46 stores, 63 concessions, its London head office and a logistics centre in Kings Lynn – had been on the market for around £30 million.

However, no buyer materialised and last week Better Capital sold Jaeger's debt to a company understood to be controlled by the retail billionaire Philip Day, who heads up Edinburgh Woollen Mill.

A statement by AlixPartners explained that the request was made after Jaeger was "unable to attract suitable offers despite a lengthy and well-publicised sales process."

Insiders now expect most of Jaeger's stores to close down, although the brand is likely to survive as part of the Edinburgh Woollen Mill stable, which also includes Jane Norman, Peacocks and Austin Reed.

Joint administrator Peter Saville, of AlixPartners, said: "Regrettably despite an extensive sales process it has not been possible to identify a purchaser for the business.

"Our focus now is in identifying an appropriate route forward and work with all stakeholders to do this. We will ensure that we communicate further as this process unfolds."

Better Capital, which is headed up by private equity baron Jon Moulton, acquired Jaeger for £19.5 million in 2012, but the firm has struggled under difficult conditions for high-street fashion retailers.

Last year the firm said that total annual sales fell from £84.2 million to £78.4 million, while it booked a pre-tax loss of £5.4 million, according to accounts filed at Companies House.

Jaeger was founded in 1884 by businessman Lewis Tomalin.