Children’s clothing chain Adams has called in the administrators, it was revealed today.

The 75-year-old company is based in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, and has shops throughout the West Midlands and Staffordshire. It employs 2,000 staff in 120 branches nationwide.

Partner Paul Clark, who was yesterday appointed a joint administrator of the business, said today: “Adams has experienced a difficult trading environment during the past 12 months, exacerbated by a further downturn and general tightening of the credit markets.

“We fully appreciate the difficult position in which the staff find themselves so soon after Christmas.”

Mr Clark said shops were trading as normal while all options are considered. He added many essential suppliers had been unpaid for some time. He said: “We are now looking at the viability of the business with a view to securing a going concern sale.”

Adams has five shops in and around Birmingham as well as others in West Bromwich, Lichfield, Shirley and Solihull.

At its height it had 271 own brand outlets and concessions trading under the name Adams Kids. It previously emerged from administration a year ago.