Patrick Cox label to be sold

Patrick Cox is understood to have been put up for sale after a mooted licensing deal with House of Fraser collapsed.

The men's and women's footwear brand, which was founded by designer Patrick Cox under the Cobblers company, is understood to have sought advice from recovery and restructuring fi rm Fisher Partners amid rumours of tough trading.

As a result, Cox is believed to be seeking investment or a new licensing deal to secure the future of the famous name.

The deal with House of Fraser never reached a serious stage,according to sources close to the department store. However, a number of other trade players have since expressed an interest in buying the brand, but it was unclear how close a deal was as Drapers went to press.

Cox launched his footwear label in 1985, but it reached its pinnacle in the mid-1990s with the Wannabe diff usion line.Wannabe loafers quickly became a lads' favourite, and in 1994 the brand was reported to have sold 200,000 pairs of shoes against 2,000 pairs the previous year. This is not the fi rst time Cox has sought investment for the brand. He looked for cash earlier this decade and is believed to have had some investment from a Chinese fi rm. Patrick Cox and Fisher Partners were not available for comment.