The investment firm which has become this year’s most prolific buyer of high street chains in Britain is targeting a takeover of a privately owned footwear retailer.
Sky News has learnt that Modella Capital is in advanced talks to buy Wynsors World of Shoes, which trades from approximately 50 standalone shops across the north of the country.
Retail industry sources said that Modella was now the likeliest buyer of Wynsors, with a deal potentially being struck before the end of the year.
Wynsors has been exploring a sale for the last two months, and hired the accountancy firm RSM to explore interest from prospective bidders.
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The chain also trades from about 40 concession sites, and employs roughly 440 people.
It has a particular focus on the children’s school shoes segment of the footwear market.
Like many retailers, it is understood to have seen its recent performance adversely affected by the labour cost pressures heralded by last year’s Budget.
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If the deal is completed, it would add Wynsors to a stable of brands which includes TG Jones, the new name for WH Smith’s high street chain; Hobbycraft; and The Original Factory Shop.
Modella was also one of the bidders for Poundland, which was sold during the summer to Gordon Brothers, another specialist retail investor.
A spokesman for Modella declined to comment, while RSM has been contacted for comment, and Wynsors could not be reached for comment.
