Calls have been made to save businesses at Hornsea Freeport after the companies which operate it went into administration.

The shopping village, based on Rolston Road in Hornsea has 43 retail units, including Coloroll, Clarks shoes, Edinburgh Woolen Mill, Julian Graves, Hallmark and Thorntons.

Dan Butters and Ian Brown, of Deloitte, have been appointed joint administrators and intend to keep the outlet open whilst seeking potential interested parties to acquire all or part of the business.

The news follows the loss of eight jobs last Sunday when the freeport branch of Laura Ashley ceased trading. The closure was put down to a "restructuring change" of the company, but the news sparked rumours that the freeport was in financial difficulty.

The administration comes after plans were announced for a £6m investment a year-and-a-half ago, in which 17 new shops would be opened.

230 staff currently work at Hornsea Freeport, most being employed by the individual retailers.

Related Links:

• Hornsea Freeport website.