by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Administrators to Coffee Republic have pointed out that only three Kent outlets are affected by the collapse of the business.

The coffee bars at Bluewater, Canterbury and Beckenham are among 20 "identified as the company-operated outlets within the administration", a statement by KPMG said.

The restructuring firm was appointed earlier this week to look at the financial situation of Coffee Republic (UK) Ltd, Coffee Republic Franchising Ltd and Goodbean Ltd.

It added that the 70 outlets franchised through Coffee Republic Franchising Ltd and further 97 concessions, operating within cinemas, retail outlets and hotels throughout the UK, are not in administration.

Kent outlets unaffected by the latest move are in Cineworld, Eureka Entertainment Centre, Ashford; Medway Valley Leisure Park, Rochester; New Road, Gravesend; Blighs Road, Sevenoaks; Cineworld, Bexleyheath; and Westwood Cross, Broadstairs.

The group employs a total of 153 staff, 26 in its head office in London and 127 employed within the 20 group-operated outlets. The administrators are assessing the viability of individual outlets and expect to close the loss making outlets with inevitable job losses.