MORE than 2,500 jobs are at risk as the owner of Bargain Booze heads for administration after failing to raise £135 million from an emergency cash call.

Sky News has reported that Conviviality, which stunned investors earlier this month when it revealed a £30m tax bill, is expected to announce that it has been unable to secure sufficient new funds.

Bargain Booze has five stores in the Northwich area, in Chester Road, Middlewich Road, Rudheath, Northwich Road, Weaverham, Manchester Road, Lostock, and London Road, Davenham. 

There is also one store in High Street, Winsford, and one in London Road, Holmes Chapel. 

There are also eight shops in Crewe in Kings Drive, Broad Street, Main Road, Gresty Road, Tollemache Drive, Hungerford Road, Waterloo Road, and West Street, and one store in Barony Road, Nantwich. 

The development is likely to lead to PricewaterhouseCoopers being appointed as administrator on Thursday, according to insiders.

It comes just days after Conviviality confirmed the departure of Diana Hunter, its chief executive, and said it would seek to raise £125m from investors through a placing of new shares.

A number of suppliers are understood to have deserted the company, according to reports.