A TROUBLED fashion store chain in Lancashire has called in the administrators for the second time in two years.

Time Clothing, which has operated two stores in East Lancashire and a third in Preston, is being advised by insolvency veterans Leonard Curtis.

An appointment was confirmed at a brief hearing before the Business and Property Courts in Manchester on July 17.

Their King William Street shop in Blackburn has been closed for some time ostensibly for refurbishments, with customers referred to their other outlets in Blackburn Road, Accrington, and the Fishergate shopping centre in Preston.

The Lancashire Telegraph understands that their parent company, Time Wholesale, also runs a wholesale business out of their head office, at Safari House, in Grange Lane, Accrington.

Back in 2017 the original controlling interest in the fashion chain, Time Retail Ltd, of St Crispin Way, Haslingden, was also placed into administration.

Then the firm sold clothing from the same two Blackburn and Accrington locations but also a third branch in Clifton Street, Blackpool.

Reporting back later, administrator Mr Poxon said the clothing firm ran into difficulties after it secured a deal to act as a wholesaler for the German footwear brand Djinns.

"As demand for the footwear increased, the supplier began to supply other retailers in the UK directly," said Mr Poxon.

"This culminated in the company having a large quantity of slow-moving stock, for which the supplier required payment."

This eventually left Time, even after they offered to return stock, with debts to the German outfit of around £83,000, his final report revealed.

Company director Julie Devenney made an offer to purchase Time Retail's goodwill and assets, which was agreed by her business partner John Devenney.

Fifteen staff transferred across to the new Time Wholesale, when the £25,000 sale was completed.

Later she also sought permission, through the courts, to continue trading as 'Time Clothing'.

Administrators Julien Irving and Mr Poxon will now examine the latest firm's affairs afresh before coming up with future proposals, which may include a sale to a new operator or liquidation.

Mrs Devenney was unavailable for comment as the Telegraph went to press.