2,500 jobs are now at risk across Britain.

All 79 Mothercare stores in the UK are set to close as the baby goods retailer goes into administration. Administrators PwC have confirmed that there will be a phased closure of all stores across England, Scotland, and Wales. Stores in Ireland will not be affected by the collapse. Joint administrator Zelf Hussain told the BBC that the company "has been loss-making for a number of years," but that profits are still being turned in international Mothercare stores. "This is a sad moment for a well-known High Street name," he said. "It's with real regret that we have to implement a phased closure of all UK stores. Our focus will be to help employees and keep the stores trading for as long as possible." Mothercare Ireland, which has not been affected by the announcement, is a separately owned and family run business that has been operating in Ireland for 26 years. Commenting on the UK announcement Jonathan Ward, Managing Director of Mothercare Ireland said: "Mothercare Ireland is a completely separate company and as a result our 14 Irish stores are unaffected by the administration plans and will continue to trade as normal." The parent group, Mothercare Global - which has more than 1,000 stores in more than 40 overseas territories - is not affected by the administration.