Ailing health food chain Julian Graves enters administration

The same week it was announced that fast-food restaurant Nando's is to open underneath the Vue cinema in the town, the shopping centre looks set to lose the health food store, which is the sister company of Holland & Barrett.
Deloitte, the appointed administrator, confirmed that Julian Graves will continue to trade whilst searching for a buyer, however the retailer, which has 189 shops around the UK, has struggled with the consumer downturn and has failed to make a profit in the last four years.
Since the 2008 purchase by owner Owners NBTY Europe, Julian Graves has made a loss of around £2 million a year.
Specialising in dried fruit, nuts and snacks, it is understood that high nut prices, in particular, were difficult to sell to customers.
The store is set to join Newbury’s credit-crunch casualty list following Woolworth’s departure in 2008.
Since 2012, the recession has already claimed the Clinton Cards store inside the Kennet Centre, Peacocks and Gamestation from the Newbury high street.
Holland & Barrett, which also has stores in West Berkshire, remains unaffected by the administration.