BHS staff pledge on wages as owner works to save retailer

Administrators Duff & Phelps said the 11,000-strong workforce had been paid over Wednesday and Thursday adding that it has been “working hard to stabilise the business” since its failure on Monday.

The update comes after the owner of BHS said he is working with private US investors to put together a rescue package for the collapsed retailer.

Dominic Chappell said he would look to save a “substantial majority” of the department store chain’s 164 shops and continue trading under the BHS brand.

Joint administrator Philip Duffy said they were pleased by “a number of expressions of interest”.

“We appreciate the hard work of staff that have ensured that stores have continued to trade as normal.

“Staff have been paid over the course of yesterday and today and we want to reassure them that they will continue to be so whilst the group remains in administration, as a priority payment.”

BHS went into administration on Monday. Duff & Phelps are currently seeking buyers for the retailer as a going concern, although industry experts have expressed doubts over whether BHS can be saved in its current form.

Speaking to the Press Association, Mr Chappell said: “After the administration, when the pensions side of the business is sorted out, we will be able to move on.”

“I’m working with US investors to buy a substantial majority of stores.”