Dragon's Den judge goes shopping for Claire's - report

(Sharecast News) - Retail entrepreneur Touker Suleyman has tabled a bid for ailing accessories retailer Claire's, it was reported on Tuesday. According to Sky News, the proposal put forward by Suleyman - the owner of fashion brands Ghost and Hawes & Curtis, and a judge on BBC programme Dragon's Den - would see a "significant" proportion of the store portfolio retained, as well as the head office.

Claire's collapsed into administration in the UK and Ireland last month, putting around 2,150 jobs at risk. The retailer, which has been hit hard by falling sales and stiff competition, has 278 shops in the UK and 28 in Ireland. All stores are continuing to trade during the sale process.

It had been previously running a sales process but called in administrators after a deal failed to materialise.

Interpath, which had been running the auction, has now been appointed to handle the administration.

Other interested parties are understood to include Modella Capital, the new owner of WH Smith on the high street, and Doug Putman, who acquired HMV in 2019.

Neither Suleyman nor Interpath have commented on the report.