Debenhams is reportedly on the brink of collapse, with administrators expected to be appointed as early as next week. The 242-year-old retailer, which employs around 22,000 people, has placed KPMG on standby to handle the process, according to Sky News.
The move would be designed to shield the struggling company from legal claims from creditors during the period of the coronavirus outbreak.
It comes as the boss of Arcadia, Philip Green, called for Government support to pay his 14,500 workforce, after closing 550 stores.
Debenhams fell into the hands of its lenders last April, a group of banks and hedge funds led by US firm Silver Point Capital, after struggling for years to keep up with the competition.