Property giant Land Securities is understood to have provisionally agreed to allow embattled furniture retailer MFI a three-month rent holiday.

British Land is also thought to be near to striking a deal with MFI, which chief executive Gary Favell is battling to save after agreeing to buy it from owner Merchant Equity last weekend.

Favell told landlords at the start of this week that unless a rent-free period until Christmas Eve was granted, MFI stores would be put into administration.

Observers believe it remains likely that approximately 100 MFI stores will shut, no matter how many landlords agree to a rent holiday.

Favell and MFI’s management team will then concentrate on trying to make the rump business work.