TWENTY jobs have been lost at specialist outdoor equipment supplier Karrimor after the company went into receivership.

The troubled company, which has equipped world record Polar expeditions and ascents up Everest, was sold within hours. But a third of the company's 60-strong staff at its Clayton-le-Moors headquarters were made redundant.

Karrimor was sold as a going concern to Lonsdale Sports by receivers Begbies Traynor.

The deal sees Lonsdale taking over the wholesale business, the company's brand names, the intellectual property rights and seven of its retail outlets.

As well as 60 staff at its headquarters at Petre Road, Clayton-le-Moors, Karrimor employed a further 190 staff at its 27 retail outlets.

Staff at Karrimor, who did not want to be named, said they were anxious to discuss their future with the new owners.

"We just don't know what is going on," said one worker. "All we have been told is that the company went into receivership on Friday and was sold within a matter of hours." Begbies Traynor partner Paul Stanley said Karrimor had suffered from declining sales and its South African parent company was unwilling to make any further investment in the business.

He said the firm had been working closely with the management at Karrimor to find a buyer for the wholesale and retail business of the company in the two weeks prior to its appointment as receiver.

"We are delighted to have saved most of the business as a going concern," he said.

"The brand is very strong and there was keen interest in acquiring the business from three separate parties.

"It was important the business was sold quickly and we achieved a good seven-figure sum."

Karrimor is a leading designer, supplier and retailer of outdoor pursuit equipment. Its 'Elite' range is aimed at the serious enthusiast, and the 'Explorer' brand at aspirational and leisure customers. In addition to its retail outlets, a large proportion of Karrimor's turnover comes from its wholesale operations, supplying UK and internationally-based trade customers.

The seven retail outlets which are part of the Lonsdale acquisition are based in Clayton-le-Moors, Manchester, Cambridge, Brighton, Nottingham, London St Paul's, and London Wardour Street. Ian Maycock at commercial property agents Smith Hodgkinson is acting for Begbies Traynor as they seek a buyer or buyers for the remaining 20 shops located across the UK.

Karrimor was bought in 1999 by South African leisure group Cullinan Holdings which immediately cut manufacturing with the loss of 80 jobs. It had previously been owned by the Italian Benetton family, famous for its international clothing brands and Formula One racing team.

Karrimor began as a manufacturer of cycle bags in the 1940s and went on to build an international reputation for outdoor clothing rucksacks and footwear.