Arcadia Group, which owns TopShop, Burton and Dorothy Perkins, is set to appoint administrators from next week putting 15,000 jobs at risk. 

The retail empire owned by controversial businessman Sir Phillip Green is preparing to appoint administrators from Deloitte, according to Sky News sources. 

Dorothy Perkins, Burtons and Miss Selfridge - which is also an Arcadia brand - are due to open outlets at Churchstoke Shopping Centre. It is not known how the news will affect future plans for the company.

Dorothy Perkins already has a branch in Aberystwyth, and Topshop has a store in Shrewsbury.

Sky News reports the appointment of administrators could happen as early as Monday.

In a desperate year for the UK retail sector Arcadia Group would be the biggest high street casualty of the pandemic, having already made 500 head office job cuts earlier this year.  

The company admitted the forced closure of stores as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a “material impact on trading.” 

“We are aware of the recent media speculation surrounding the future of Arcadia,” An Arcadia spokesperson said.  

“The forced closure of our stores for sustained periods as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a material impact on trading across our businesses.  

“As a result, the Arcadia boards have been working on a number of contingency options to secure the future of the Group’s brands.  

“The brands continue to trade and our stores will be opening again in England and ROI as soon as the Government COVID-19 restrictions are lifted next week.” 

It further confirms the impact the ongoing coronavirus pandemic is having on the retail sector with over 500 Arcadia Group stores currently shut under the current national lockdown restrictions, which will end on December 2. 

Having already announced 500 head office job cuts earlier this year, 15,000 jobs are said to be at risk. 

Sir Phillip Green bought the company in 2002 for £850m and advised David Cameron on public sector waste while he was Prime Minister.  

In a desperate year for the UK retail sector Arcadia Group would be the biggest high street casualty of the pandemic.