'Use your Peacocks vouchers now'

The biggest retail casualty since Woolworths is Peacocks, which called in the receivers this week after failing to reach a deal with its bank on its debt repayments.

Other shops who are facing difficulties include Habitat, Blacks Leisure, Past Times, Barratts Shoes, La Senza - and Pumpkin Patch who called in administrators late on Thursday.

Consumer lawyer Ingrid Gubbay gives advice to customers who had goods on order or have vouchers they were planning to spend.

She says "now is the time to act".

Correction 21 January 2012: The advice contained in this interview in relation to gift vouchers is no longer correct. A spokesperson for Peacocks administrators KPMG has confirmed that the company's vouchers are not being accepted - and gave this statement:

"Peacocks is not in a financial position to refund or exchange goods sold prior to the administration appointment.

"Voucher holders should complete a form to submit a claim and they can call a special helpline set up on 029 20 270 800.

"Due to the severity of the financial situation they are likely to see a nominal return."