THE computer games shop chain Game – which has four branches in Bournemouth and Poole – has put itself up for sale in a bid to stave off financial collapse.

Advisory firm Rothschild has been appointed to seek a buyer for the business, which has a big rent bill due in a fortnight, it was reported.

The chain – which employs 10,000 people nationally – has branches in the Avenue Centre, Bournemouth, Castlepoint, Poole High Street and the Sovereign Centre, Boscombe.

The shop’s trading difficulties have deepened in recent weeks, despite it agreeing revised lending facilities with its banks last month.

The loan was not enough to reassure suppliers, with Game reportedly losing the rights to sell keenly awaited Street Fighter X Tekken.