Some of the 81 MFI stores placed into administration last week are to close because no purchasers have been identified.

Administrator Kroll would not confirm which stores would be closed, or how many, and maintained that no redundancies have been made in these stores yet. It added that it is in negotiations with several potential purchasers.

Kroll corporate advisory and restructuring group partner Fraser Gray said: “We have not been able to complete sales of the remaining stores. Therefore, in order to maximise the realisation of assets, a wind-down process has commenced while we seek purchasers for those remaining stores.”

He added: “All employees have been made aware of the situation and we are grateful for their understanding throughout the administration process.”

Last week, MFI placed its retail and property divisions into administration after the completion of a management buy-out, led by chief executive Gary Favell.

The management buy-out saved 1,350 jobs and 106 of the 187 stores, which will operate under the new company, MFI Group.

The retailer also made more than 130 of its call centre workers redundant last week as it closed its contact centre in Sunderland. It is not known if the employees will receive redundancy pay.