BDO Stoy Hayward, the administrator of collapsed Allied Carpets, has closed 142 of the retailer’s stores since it was appointed last month.

The administrator, which was appointed to Allied Carpets UK Ltd and Allied Carpets Properties Ltd on 17 July, said today that it had been working to sell the remaining stores as a going concern.

Dermot Power, business restructuring partner at BDO Stoy Hayward, said: ‘The particular struggle of retail businesses in the current economic climate and the stagnation of the housing market have clearly played a role in potential investor nervousness about purchasing stores from the Allied portfolio.

‘Although we have had a strong level of initial interest in the portfolio, the common concern has been around the lack of visibility of future turnover.

‘In addition, many of those who operate in the same industry haven’t been comfortable taking the step to extend their current portfolio in such a tough trading climate.

‘Although the stores are closed, we are still in negotiations with a number of interested parties. We are also continuing to discuss a change of use acquisition as well as options with some single site acquirers.’

It sold 51 stores to Allied Carpets Retail when it was first appointed, as well the insurance inspection business, which it said had protected 400 jobs.

Since then it has sold a further four stores in Wimbledon, Gillingham, Ipswich and Cribbs Causeway, with more sales expected over the next two weeks.