Wheatsheaf Centre store at risk as Internacionale heads for administration

Internacionale, the fashion retailer that has a store in The Wheatsheaf Centre, Rochdale, is heading for administration.

The administration puts the Wheatsheaf Centre store at risk of closure and threatens jobs.

If the store closes it will be the latest store in the beleaguered Wheatsheaf Centre to close, fashion retailer Bonmarché and The Works, which sold books and arts and crafts materials, have also closed.

The shopping centre, managed by Huddersfield resident Martin Ballard, has struggled badly since its anchor store, T J Hughes, closed leaving a gaping hole in a high profile position within the centre.

The Wheatsheaf Centre itself has been in administration since August 2011 and has searched in vain for a buyer.

Rochdale Council was at one stage considering a bid to buy the centre but it is understood talks between the Council and the centre's administrators broke down following the closure of T J Hughes.

The Council has, however,  agreed to fund construction of a new entrance to replace the overhead walkway spanning Baillie Street, which is being demolished as part of the Council's town centre redevelopment.

Internacionale, which was previously saved through a sale in 2008, athough stores trading under sister brand Au Naturale were ditched, is understood to have lined up Ernst & Young as administrator.