ALMOST 4,000 jobs are injeopardy after the owner of shoe shops Barratts and Priceless Shoes fell into administration.

The Bradford-based chain Barratts Priceless, which has a store at Kingsgate in Huddersfield and 190 stores UK-wide, said difficult trading conditions had been worsened by recent mild weather which hit demand for winter footwear.

Administrator Deloitte said it will continue trading at the stores, including the Kingsgate Barratts outlet, while it seeks a buyer for all or parts of the business.

About 3,840 staff work in 191 stores and 371 concessions across the UK.

Deloitte restructuring partner Daniel Butters said: “Barratts and Priceless Shoes have faced a downturn in trading as a result of the difficult economic conditions.

“This has been exacerbated by the unseasonably mild weather in recent weeks which resulted in fewer sales across new winter lines.”

He added: “We will continue to trade the stores while we seek a buyer for all or parts of the business as a going concern.

“We are working closely with suppliers to ensure the business has the best possible platform to secure a sale, preserve jobs and generate as much value as possible for all creditors.”

It is the second time the business has been put into administration as Michael Ziff, chairman of Barratts Priceless’ parent company Stylo, bought 160 shops from Deloitte after the chains were put into administration in 2009.

At the time, Deloitte closed 220 stores, but Mr Ziff was able to safeguard about 3,000 jobs.

Nick Bubb, a retail analyst at Arden Partners, said high street stores were struggling whatever they were selling.

He said Barratts Priceless was competing with supermarkets and rival clothing retailers such as New Look and River Island.

“Footwear is also increasingly bought with clothing now and it’s part of an ongoing structural trend.

“It’s down to an overwhelming combination of competition and the economy.”

Barratts joins a list of retail failures this year that includes TJ Hughes, Jane Norman, Alexon, Habitat UK and Focus DIY.

Blacks Leisure, which owns the Millets chain, put itself up for sale on Wednesday in a last-ditch effort to save the loss-making business from collapse.

As well as the store at Kingsgate, Barratt Priceless has outlets at the White Rose Centre, Leeds city centre, Meadowhall, Harrogate, York and Doncaster.

Alongside its own-label footwear, the company’s stores sell branded products from well-known labels including Hush Puppies, Caterpillar, Kickers, Skechers and Rocket Dog.