A consortium led by Icelandic investor Baugur has increased its stake in the troubled department store chain Debenhams. Daily Telegraph

Baugur, retail entrepreneur Kevin Stanford and FL Group announced after the market closed that their stake in the company, held via derivatives, had topped 9%.

Baugur has played down the prospects of a bid, describing the stakebuilding as an investment.

Shares in Debenhams have fallen sharply since it floated at 195p and closed down ½ at 136p.