A SHOE company has stepped in with an 11th hour rescue package to save De Bradelei Mill and 50 of the 80 jobs at the Kidderminster store.

The move follows hot on the heels of the collapse of the discount designer clothing and homeware business after receivers were called in.

Pavers Shoes, one of its largest concessions, has taken over the lease of the former mill in Weavers Wharf and will re-open the store next week, initially trading on two of the four floors.

"The news De Bradelei Mill had problems was a shock to all the businesses that had concessions there but we acted swiftly, not simply to protect our own commercial interests, but also to ensure the well being of all of our staff who stood to lose their jobs," said managing director, Stuart Paver.

In addition to Pavers, Leading Labels, a national retailer of discount designer clothing, will be providing a range of top labels at discounted prices, including Pierre Cardin, Ben Sherman and Jacques Vert.

"We were very keen to ensure that De Bradelei Mill's unique retail offer was kept alive for the people of Kidderminster," said Mr Paver, adding: "We have traded very successfully there for some time and we wanted to ensure that we continued to do so."

The former carpet mill is a centrepiece of the Weavers Wharf development, which is set to be enhanced by a £5 million scheme to create two more shops in an extension alongside and a restaurant and flats in the disused Piano Building.

Town Centre Partnership chairman, Peter Picken, welcomed the re-opening of the store and hoped it would be successful.

"These things happen in the retail industry," he said.

"It is notorious for companies going through financial difficulties from time to time.

"On occasions, companies manage to get through their problems and, on others, they don't.

"However, the customers are still there and other companies come along with a slightly different retail view and manage to get the customers back and become successful."