A BUYER has been found for the former Thatchers Furnishings building in Huddersfield town centre.

The deal was announced by administrators of the company, which collapsed in September last year in the face of tough trading conditions, with the loss of about 20 jobs.

Joint administrator Peter Sargent, of insolvency firm Begbies Traynor, has announced a final auction of stock from the building – amounting to more than 400 items – would be held next Thursday at the premises at Dundas Street.

The shop closed last October after administrators failed to find a buyer for the business.

Thatchers’ managing director Darran Chappell, has now formed a new company, Thatchers of Huddersfield Ltd, which is trading from a former mill opposite the Great Northern Retail Park on Leeds Road.

Mr Sargent declined to name the buyer of the Dundas Street premises, where furniture in six showrooms covered four floors.

He said: “It is good news that the building has been sold. It shows there some interest in commercial property in Huddersfield. It is probably the biggest retail building to be offered for sale in the town centre for some time.

“It is a grand building in a good location and it has a lot going for it. Whether it will be used for retail or something else, we don’t know at present.”