Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Brown on the brink

Saturday 09 April 1994 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

CONCERN is growing over the future of Brown and Jackson, the owner of the 240-strong Poundstretcher discount store chain, following three weeks of inconclusive rescue talks with Pepkor, one of South Africa's largest retail groups.

Sources close to the discussions say there is unlikely to be any offer from the South African group for the business in its current form. Pepkor is understood to be concerned about the number of loss-making shops and put off by the fact that nearly 75 per cent of the group's leases are due for rent reviews in the coming year.

Time is becoming important because suppliers may grow increasingly nervous in the absence of positive news about the company's finances.

The current management of Brown & Jackson is believed to be trying to raise some money from a couple of financial institutions.

Brown shares closed the week at 3p.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in