Timeline: The rise and demise of British Home Stores

BHS went into administration last month. Credit: PA

BHS is set to go into liquidation after administrators failed to find a buyer for the high street chain.

Administrators have said it will begin an "orderly wind-down" of the firm, with 11,000 jobs likely to be lost.

Here is a timeline of key moments charting the rise and fall of the very British department store.

  • 1928: British Home Stores is set up in a store in Brixton, south London. None of the goods for sale cost more than a shilling.

  • 1929: Prices rise to a five shilling maximum as home furnishings are introduced.

  • 1970: The brand has 94 UK stores and around 12,000 workers after constant expansion since WW2.

  • 2000: Sir Philip Green buys British Home Stores for £200 million. It is rebranded as BHS.

Sir Philip Green owned BHS for 15 years before selling it for a £1 in 2015. Credit: PA

  • 2005: The shop begins to lose pace against cheaper rivals such Primark.

BHS has been unable to compete with against cheaper rivals.

  • 2014: BHS makes a cash loss of £21m in the year to August 2014, compared with £19.3m in the previous year.

  • 2015: Sir Philip sells BHS to Retail Acquisitions, led by former bankrupt Dominic Chappell, for £1. Work begins on a turnaround plan to try to bring it back into profitability.

#SaveBHS branding displayed on the windows of the BHS head office in London. Credit: PA

  • March 2016: The store is thrown a lifeline when creditors back two company voluntary arrangements (CVA) designed to cut costs and prevent widespread store closures.

  • April 2016: BHS collapses into administration, sparking an investigation by MPs into Sir Philip and Mr Chappell.

  • June 2016: Administrators fail to find a buyer for the firm and decide to wind the company down