OFFICE Outlet, which has a branch in Southampton's Westquay Retail Village, has gone into administration, putting the future of 1,200 jobs at risk.

The retailer, which was formerly known as Staples, is not connected to the online-only business which currently trades under the Staples name.

Partners at Deloitte were appointed joint administrators on Monday.

Stores will continue trading while the business is marketed to potential new owners.

Joint administrator Richard Haws said: "In addition to a general downturn in trading as a result of the ongoing decline in the stationery market and UK retail in general, the company has recently experienced a reduction in credit from key suppliers, given the economic outlook which has severely impacted the financial position of the Company.

"We are hopeful a buyer can still be found for the business in the coming weeks and we will continue to trade the business with that aim in mind."

The chain launched a plan last August to shut a handful of stores under a form of insolvency called a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA). The deal also included three years of free rent on 20 sites.

But the move failed to save the chain which is understood to have had trouble scraping together rent for its 90 stores ahead of the due date on Friday.

US-based stationery giant Staples sold its UK shops to Hilco Capital, the former owner of HMV, in late 2016.

The chain was then renamed Office Outlet, while a separate online business continues to operate in the UK under the name Staples.