Stricken Liverpool department store Rapid Hardware has been delivered another blow, with its administrators unexpectedly closing the store.
The family-run DIY and homewares business, which occupies the former John Lewis premises in the city centre, went into administration on Tuesday but the store remained open for business.

But now financial advisory firm Duff & Phelps has shut Rapid's doors to customers and says that final closure is a possibility.

In a new statement, joint administrator Philip Duffy said: "Following a review of the business and its stock holding, the joint administrators have today [February 7] suspended operations pending discussions with the company's main suppliers.

"The joint administrators are in the process of writing to all affected customers and employees will be notified of further developments. At this stage however, final closure of the store cannot be ruled out."

It urges any prospective purchasers for the business to contact them. Managing director Martin Doherty has appealed for a "white knight" investor to rescue the store.

Rapid's troubles can be traced back largely to two major events that coincided in 2008. First, sales were hit hard by the economic squeeze that followed the global banking crisis, and, second, Liverpool One, the UK's largest open-air shopping centre, opened - which effectively moved the city's commercial centre.

Recognising that that would have a major impact on customer footfall in Renshaw Street, from where it was then operating, Rapid took the decision to take over the John Lewis store, which John Lewis itself was vacating in order to open its new anchor store in Liverpool One.

Once in the new premises, Rapid took the opportunity to diversify within the 100,000sq ft space - which has recently seen the completion of a major refurbishment - adding furniture and homewares to its DIY, decorating and garden products.

However, shoppers found the city centre location difficult in terms of carrying purchases away, whereas they had been able to park right outside the Renshaw Street premises - which remain unoccupied. The store has also been criticised by customers for its diversification away from its core business.

And the business's troubles mounted in 2012 when Liverpool's Central station closed for six months for refurbishment.

According to Mr Duffy: "The closure during much of last year of a local transport hub [resulted] in a dramatic loss of passing trade, the financial consequences of which were ultimately insurmountable."

Local footfall during the closure is estimated to have fallen by as much as 7%.