More doubt has been cast over the future of high street retailer Toys R Us after reports emerged of an outstanding tax bill.
The US-owned chain, which has been put on the market by its parent company, has been set a February 27 deadline to pay a £15m VAT bill, according to Sky News.
The company, which employs 3,000 people across the UK, has stores in Norwich and Ipswich which both survived a spate of closures after the business entered a company voluntary arrangement (CVA), approved just before Christmas, which saw it offset some of its debts.
However, the Norwich branch would have to reduce its rent costs by 25% within seven months as part of that agreement.
The US parent company entered bankruptcy protection last year meaning it has been unable to put money into the ailing UK arm.
A Toys R Us UK spokesman declined to comment on the VAT bill but said: 'These conversations are confidential but I can assure you that they are acting in the best interests of employees, business partners, shareholders and lenders.'
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