Updated: Staff at troubled kitchen retailer MFI were called to a meeting this morning where they were told the company has applied to go into administration. A notification of intention to file for administration was filed with the High Court last night and the company is expected to go into administration this afternoon.

Press reports this morning suggested that increasingly bitter rows about unpaid rents could cause the retailer to fall into administration.

An administrator is poised to take control of the company, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Galliform, MFI's former parent company, is among those seeking unpaid rent.

Earlier this year MFI placed its property arm into administration, but chief executive Gary Favell acquired around half the stores as part of what he claimed was a rescue of the business.

Subsequently he asked landlords for a rent holiday and while some of the major landlords agreed, not all did and they are now demanding payment of rent for this quarter.