COLLAPSED retail chain Peacocks looks closer to finding new owners today.

Administrators reported huge interest in the business.

More than 100 conversations were held with potential buyers for all or part of the clothing retailer in the 48 hours after it collapsed, according to KPMG.

Chris Laverty, joint administrator and restructuring partner at KPMG, said: “We have received huge interest from potential acquirers of Peacocks following our appointment last week.”

Peacocks, which has 563 stores and 48 concessions, and parent company the Peacock Group fell into administration under a mountain of debt earlier this month.

The collapse – billed as the biggest retail failure since Woolworths – has placed 9,600 jobs in jeopardy.

Huddersfield-based fashion chain Bon Marché, which was part of the Peacock Group, was sold earlier this week in a deal that will lead to 1,400 job losses and 160 store closures.

Private equity firm Sun European Partners bought 230 stores and Bon Marché’s headquarters and distribution centre at Grange Moor. It will continue to employ 2,400 staff.

Bon Marché has a store at New Street in Huddersfield and one in Dewsbury town centre. The new owners have yet to announce which stores will close.

Elsewhere, it was reported that retailers including Poundland and Tesco are eyeing up a number of Peacocks stores in the event that a buyer for all or part of the struggling chain is not found.