More than 2,400 jobs are at risk after controversial rent-to-own retailer BrightHouse sank into administration, just days after it closed all its stores due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The company, which operates around 240 stores including many across Scotland, appointed Grant Thornton to keep running the business, and collecting money from customers.

The business will still look after customers' appliances until their contracts run out.

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There will be no new rent-to-own sales, and experts said that customers who are claiming compensation from the company might have to wait for longer than usual.

Non-essential stores across Britain have shut their doors to contain the spread of Covid-19, putting serious pressure on businesses which were already on the brink.

Julie Palmer, a partner at restructuring experts Bebgies Traynor, said: "Coronavirus was the final nail in the coffin for BrightHouse.

"It was already wrapped up and squeezed by payment claims against it and new regulations were having a detrimental effect to its business model.

"As soon as its stores closed due to the pandemic it looked inevitable that this business would break."

Rent-to-own let customers buy household items, such as a washing machine, in exchange for small weekly payments.

However, critics said these can quickly add up to hundreds of pounds more than the same items cost on the high street.

Carluccio's has also collapsed into administration, casting a shadow over the future of its 71 UK restaurants and 2,000 employees.

A social enterprise making free packed lunches for vulnerable Scots during the coronavirus lockdown intends to double its production as demand soars.

Social Bite closed its five social enterprise cafes earlier this month, with staff switching roles to provide free meals for struggling families.

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Last week, it handed out 15,000 food packs around Scotland, consisting of a sandwich, a piece of fruit, crisps and a drink.

Over the next seven days, it intends to scale up production to 30,000 a week.

Social Bite has raised more than £115,000 for the initiative through a crowdfunding page.

The packed lunches are given to homeless people as well as those who are struggling financially.

Co-founder Josh Littlejohn warned food poverty could quickly become one of the most difficult issues of the Covid-19 epidemic.

He said: "We are seeing more people in an increasingly desperate situation as the crisis deepens.

"Obviously homeless people can't easily self-isolate or stock up cupboards and fridges and many of the services they rely on have closed down.
"So this demographic of people really need our support."

Retail group Monsoon Accessorize could be sold after the impact of coronavirus cast a shadow over its turnaround plans.

The company, which runs the Monsoon and Accessorize chains, said it has hired advisers to assess options including a potential sale, in a bid to protect the company's long-term future.

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The two retailers, which employ around 3,500 staff, have shut all their stores after the Prime Minister told non-essential retailers to close their doors.

Monsoon Accessorize has drafted in restructuring experts from FRP Advisory to work on possible scenarios.

It said the recent shutdown of its sites meant it was facing "exceptionally difficult times" which could threaten its long-term future.

A Monsoon Accessorize spokesman said: "These options include a potential sale of some or all of the business.

"No decisions have been made about the timing or nature of any steps the business may take."