Up to 200 jobs are understood to be at risk

Quiz Clothing has called in administrators as workers fear they could lose their jobs.

The struggling high street fashion chain called in administrators just days after its shares were removed from the London Stock Exchange.

Quiz is chaired by the former JD Sports chief Peter Cowgill.

It has now appointed the insolvency practitioner Teneo as administrator to Zandra Retail, with at least 23 shops at risk of closure.

The move is expected to involve a pre-pack administration deal, allowing the chain’s founders to regain control of a slimmed-down version of the firm.

A ‘pre-pack administration’ is an insolvency process so a business can sell its assets before appointing administrators.

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It is a way of selling a business to a third-party buyer, The Sun reports.

The remaining assets will be acquired by Orion Retail, a subsidiary of the company controlled by the founding Ramzan family.

A Quiz spokeswoman said Orion will hold the right to trade from 42 outlets previously occupied by Zandra, preserving the majority of the Group’s retail employees.

Quiz currently has about 1,500 employees across its 60 stores and concessions – but up to 200 employees could be let go, Sky News reports.

Sheraz Ramzan, CEO of QUIZ said: “The Board took the difficult decision to appoint administrators to Zandra Retail Limited in light of the continuing challenging trading conditions impacting the Group’s performance. “We are deeply sorry to those affected by the store closures, including our retail colleagues.

“However, this decision will put the business in a more sustainable footing for the future and protect several hundred jobs as a result.”

Quiz’s online business, concessions and international operations are operated by other Group subsidiaries and are unaffected by the announcement.