A BRIGHT future has been secured for the De Bradelei Wharf shopping complex, after investors came forward to help the parent company out of administration.

At the end of last year, there were fears De Bradelei Wharf could cease trading, after De Bradelei Mill Shops, which runs the Dover store and five other discount designer shops in the UK, announced it was in administration.

Now it has been confirmed that a team of staff from De Bradelei Mill Shops has received significant financial backing from a consortium of shareholders, which revived the company’s fortunes.

This will also be welcome news for around 100 staff who work at De Bradelei Wharf, in Cambridge Road, who were facing the threat of losing jobs either in the run-up to Christmas, or after the sales.

In addition to the Dover store, De Bradelei Mill Shops will also run two of their other stores in Belper, Derbyshire and Nottingham.

It is not known what future awaits the company’s stores in Kidderminster, Lutterworth and Melton Mowbray, but these are not being taken on by De Bradelei Mill Shops.

Managing director, Simon Wallwork, said: "The finance made available by the new investors will enable the business to move forward and secure jobs in our Dover, Belper and Nottingham stores.

"We are indebted to the wonderful managers, staff and loyal customers for their support and encouragement through this difficult period."

Marketing manager, Anne Wallwork, said the Dover store, which opened in 1996, has always been one of their most successful, a sentiment echoed by the administrator, Tenon Recovery, who have always remained confident someone would come forward to run De Bradelei Wharf.

It is understood that it was not the Dover store that was suffering losses, but others within the De Bradelei group.

Mrs Wallwork added: "The Dover store will be run through existing company structures. Things will carry on as usual - we are very happy with staff and management."