John Kinnaird remains confident of launching a bid next week for footwear chain Dolcis, as he continues to rally landlord support.

Kinnaird has persuaded some smaller landlords to agree turnover-based leases and has lined up meetings with larger landlords this week. Dolcis, which went into administration two weeks ago, has had about 40 parties express an interest in the business.

Rival Stead & Simpson was sold to a new company this week, backed by competitor Shoe Zone. The pre-pack administration deal involved Shoe Zone buying 309 of the chain’s 346 stores.

Separately, Sir Tom Hunter is thought to be considering selling struggling shoe chain Qube following the sale of his fashion-chain d2 to management this week. A spokesman declined to comment on Qube, but said Hunter is focusing on bigger asset-backed retail investments.

* The£100 million sale of Kurt Geiger reached the second round this week with interested parties understood to include Graphite Capital, Advent, 3i and the private equity arm of Fleming Family & Partners.