House of Fraser today said it was ready to roll out a host of brands across its revamped department stores, despite facing “difficult” trading conditions.

The new owner of UK department store House of Fraser today promised a shake-up for Britain’s “boring” high street after buying the chain for £351m (€522.3m) this week.

Matalan boss John King was named chief executive of House of Fraser today after the department store chain changed hands in a £351m (€523.4m) deal.

Department stores chain House of Fraser was said today to be on the shopping list of private equity firm Apax Partners after revealing a bid approach last week.