Beales in Bedford at risk of collapse

Owners of the store, in Harpur Street and Silver Street, are desperate for help to stop it going into administration.

Last month, Bedford Today reported how the Bournemouth-based group was looking for a new buyer.But bosses are now negotiating with landlords in the hope of securing rent reductions on key stores and save it from collapse.

According to the BBC, Beales - which was founded in 1881 - is currently in discussions with two potential buyers. One is understood to be a rival retailer, while the other is a capital investor.

It is thought poorer than expected trading over Christmas has pushed the company to the brink - with store closures a likely outcome, whether a buyer is found or not.

The Bedford store, which was previously Braggins, has been in the town for 37 years and will be a bitter blow if it closes.

Mr Ezra Braggins bought part of the building in 1885 and opened the shop from 8am to 8pm during the week and 8am to 10pm on Saturdays.

In the early days it was a drapers and boys outfitters, but in 1914 the High Street shop selling girls clothes moved to the corner store.

In 1970, a new £85,000 extension in Harpur Street was built.