STAFF at local branches of the chains Blacks and Millets face an agonising wait to see whether their jobs can be saved.

Owner Blacks Leisure has confirmed it will go into administration but is hoping most of the business will be salvaged by buyers.

The company’s 98 Blacks outlets include one in The Avenue Centre in Bournemouth, while its 208 Millets shops include branches at Gervis Place, Bournemouth; Kingland Crescent, Poole and Lymington High Street.

The company, which has 3,600 staff, has admitted it failed to find an outright buyer after putting itself up for sale following dire trading.

But it has received offers for the trade, assets and brands of the group and expects to announce the appointment of administrators.

It has suspended its shares because the deal will attribute no value to its stock.

Dragons’ Den star Peter Jones, Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct and sportswear firm JD Sports are among the likely bidders.