BHS lives on as new owners plan 'ambitious' overseas expansion

The owners of the international arm of BHS are on the verge of securing deals with franchise partners in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

BHS in the UK entered administration in April and all stores were closed by the end of August, with the loss of 11,000 jobs.

But in June, the Al Mana Group formed BHS International, buying the global franchise business and brand.

BHS was relaunched in September, with BHS.com selling around three-quarters of the most popular items that had been sold by BHS online before the chain collapsed.

It employs 84 staff and uses products from UK suppliers.

BHS International also has 11 franchise partners in charge of 61 stores in 14 countries, including Malta, Jordan, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.

The first overseas franchise store opened in 1985 and BHS International now plans to enter 10 new countries, which they would not identify, as contracts have yet to be signed.

While ranges will still be designed in London, they will focus on providing products for customers overseas.

Its online offering will also expand to include clothing, kitchen and dining ware in the coming weeks.

David Anderson, managing director of BHS International, said the overseas business had seen "strong growth" in recent years.

He added: "Under the new owners, we have ambitious plans to accelerate this growth and, working closely with new and existing franchise partners, we are confident we can do this.

"Since the new business was formed in June, we have secured agreements with new partners in new territories and are in discussions with many others."

BHS International has no links with former owners Dominic Chappell or Sir Philip Green.

Just days ago, MPs unanimously recommended Sir Philip be stripped of his knighthood and the Government called on him to fix the BHS £571m pensions scheme deficit, as investigators examine the conduct of BHS directors and management of the scheme.