Modella said the deal had the potential to save more than 1,000 roles across the business, with Joe Price, the managing director, saying it would give Claire’s “the chance to remain on the high street”. However, the likely closure of the remaining 145 stores puts a further 1,000 staff at risk of redundancy across the retailer’s sprawling estate. Claire’s slowdownIt follows years of financial struggles for Claire’s, which has been laid low by high debts and slow trading. Last month, Claire’s also warned managers that bailiffs could start turning up in person to recover debts, while a week later, it suspended online orders and appointed administrators. The private equity firm said it had yet to decide on the future of the acquired 156 stores, saying it would first hold talks with landlords “before deciding which of the 156 stores can remain open”.