Homebase appointed administrators at consultancy Teneo after it was hit hard by an “incredibly challenging” three years - with the future of 74 stores now hanging in the balance

It comes as the stricken firm has set a deadline of the end of next week for potential buyers to snap up its remaining shops in the UK and Ireland

If they can't be sold in a week the branches look set to close

Troubled DIY and garden chain Homebase has put 74 of its stores up for sale after collapsing into administration last week.