11 December 2012 Last updated at 13:57 ET

Stead and Simpson to close 90 stores

High street shoe retailer Stead and Simpson has confirmed it is to close 90 of its stores.

The Leicester-based company went into administration in 2008 and was bought by Shoe Zone and the business currently has 227 branches across the UK.

Shoe Zone said it had carried out a review of the network and unprofitable branches would be shut.

The firm added it could not confirm the number of jobs affected but staff would be relocated where possible.

Shoe Zone director Naomi Shefford said: "The decision was not taken lightly to close these stores.

"However, in locations where we have two stores on the same high street, or where stores were not profitable for us, we had to make a business decision to ensure the company continues to be successful.

"We are pleased to confirm the remaining Stead & Simpson stores will continue to trade on a business as usual basis, along with the very successful e-commerce site."