A MAJOR electronics retailer with two branches in Southampton has gone into administration.

Maplins, which has stores on Above Bar Street and Bevois Valley Road, has confirmed that it has been unable to find a buyer for the firm and that there would be redundancies within the brand.

Staff within Maplins' head offices have been made redundant and administrators said they would continue to review the position of stores and will provide further updates in due course.

Toby Underwood, joint administrator, said: “It is with real regret that we have made this decision.

"We are grateful for the support of the employees during this difficult period and we will make every effort to help the affected staff, working with the Maplin HR team over the coming days.

"The company is continuing to trade but due to a lack of interest we may be required to initiate a controlled closure programme.

"We still believe there is strong value in the company and we remain focused on doing all we can to preserve the business while we continue trying to achieve a sale."