Xmas stocking trouble looms as Sanity up for sale again.(News)

The troubled Sanity UK entertainment chain sold by Australian retailer Brazin just two months ago is back on the market again after being put into the hands of administrators.

Lee Skinner, whose business interests have included video distribution operation Crazy Eddie's, took control of the 111 stores in September in a reported 5m [pounds sterling] deal as the front man of a newly-formed operation called Primemist.

Backed by a mystery investor, the deal made Skinner the fourth controller of the one time Our Price chain in just five years. However, a fortnight ago he sold his entire stake back to the investor--whose identity has not even been made known to head office staff--who immediately placed it in administration.

BDO Stoy Hayward's Shay Bannon and Simon Michaels were appointed as joint administrators by the High Court on November 21 and are now seeking a new buyer for the company, which is registered as Our Price Entertainment.

The administrators say they are in the process of talking to the business's 800 staff, while they are looking to sell the company as a going concern. They add that it will continue to trade under their direction and there are no plans to close any stores.

The business, though, is being severely hit ...