The future of Alworths, the variety chain formed following the collapse of Woolworths, was thrown into doubt this week as bailiffs temporarily seized one of its stores, and it emerged a partner at restructuring specialist Hilco UK had been ­appointed as director.

Bailiffs closed the retailer's store in Llandudno, North Wales, on Monday. A 'notice of peaceable re-entry' was displayed on the door of the store with a message stating that it had been seized "as a result of your failure to pay rent due".

The store reopened on Wednesday, but documents at Companies House revealed that Robert Schneiderman, a partner at Hilco UK, had been appointed as a director last month. Founder and MD Andy Latham resigned last month.

Local reports have also suggested the retailer's store in Evesham, Worcestershire, is set to close. Alworths is also advertising a 'stock clearance' sale on its website, with up to 70% off selected lines.

Alworths opened its first store in November 2009. It expanded rapidly to 17 sites, although it failed to hit its target of 22 stores by the end of 2010.

The company was unavailable for comment as The Grocer went to press.