ONE of Knutsford’s best-known firms is seeking a buyer for the business after experiencing ‘trading difficulties’.

Family-owned sports retailer Barrington Sports is based at Parkgate Industrial Estate, and its directors sought professional advice on restructuring the company.

Specialist business advisory firm FRP Advisory is now seeking a buyer for the business, which employs 10 people and was established in 1982 by sportsman Barry Dolby in Goostrey.

The company said it would continue to trade as normal, website orders would be fulfilled and the Knutsford shop would remain open as usual.

An FRP Advisory spokesman said: “FRP Advisory has been engaged by the directors of Northgame Limited, which trades as Barrington Sports, to undertake a review of the business and discuss appropriate restructuring options.

“FRP is now conducting a sale process with a view to achieving a sale as a going concern.

“In the meantime, the business continues to operate from its site at Parkgate Industrial Estate.”

The spokesman said Barrington Sports had experienced ‘certain trading difficulties in the recent financial period, including adverse exchange rate movements’, which had led the directors to seek professional advice.

Tom Dolby, managing director of Northgame Limited, which trades as Barrington Sports, said on Facebook: “We have now taken further professional advice with regard to the restructuring options available for the business.

“As a result, we have now secured our funder’s support and will continue to trade as normal over the coming weeks.

“We will be looking for a buyer or investor in the meantime, which is a process being conducted by FRP Advisory in Manchester.

“All web orders across websites will be fulfilled and the Knutsford shop will remain open as usual.

“This has been decided as the best course of action for all stakeholders, including our much-valued partners and suppliers.”

FRP Advisory is seeking a buyer for the business, and would encourage any interested parties to contact Ben Woolrych or Elizabeth Rae on 0161 833 3344.

Barrington Sports is an independent, family-owned sports retailer which has been based in Knutsford since 1986.

The company was established in 1982 in Goostrey, and by 1984 had moved to a larger outlet in Holmes Chapel.

In 1986 the business moved to Knutsford, and in 2012 moved to a new 25,000-square foot site.

It operates from its headquarters at Parkgate Industrial Estate, which includes retail and warehouse spaces with interactive playing areas for customers. It also operates an online site at barringtonsports.com