Nine retail sites operated by DC Cook, which went into receivership on January 19, have been closed and almost half the group's workforce made redundant.

Grant Thornton, administrative receivers to DC Cook Holdings, says the business operations have been reduced to seven sites "following analysis of trading and negotiations with manufacturers and landlords".

The nine sites are in Derby, Bracknell, Shrewsbury, South Shields, Warrington, Newcastle under Lyme, York, Rotherham and the Fiat franchise in Doncaster.

Stock from these is being redeployed where possible to sites in Barnsley, Macclesfield, Sheffield, Manchester, Rochdale and the Jaguar franchise in Doncaster and Coventry which are trading normally.

The closures have led to 280 redundancies out of a total group workforce of 680. Redeployment of staff is taking place where possible.

Nigel Ruddock, a partner in Grant Thornton, said: "Since our appointment we have been analysing the trading patterns within the group, marketing the business and negotiating with manufacturers and landlords. Fiat, Alfa, Jaguar, Nissan and Rover, which account for the majority of the franchises have been supportive.

"Other manufacturers have used this opportunity to re-address the shape of their franchise networks and ceased to supply the business."

The other manufacturers are Citroen, Renault, Mitsubishi and Daihatsu.

Mr Ruddock added that there had been an "encouraging" level of interest from potential purchasers in the group's outlets.

The Crewe site, which sold Renaults, was sold to TG Holdcroft on January 25.