Woolworths could be broken up as early as this week as around a dozen serious bidders circle the high street chain, Sunday newspapers in England said today.

All 800 stores of British retailer Woolworths will open for business today despite the company calling in administrators.

SHARES were suspended at the British retailer Woolworths yesterday as the century-old company frantically moved to avoid a collapse.

NEGOTIATIONS on the future of Woolworths are continuing, with Bank of Ireland’s British subsidiary, Burdale, thought to be considering options to prevent the retailer from going into administration.