STAFF at the York branch of a failed national chain of herbal retailers have learnt their jobs are secure.

Culpeper went into administration after a number of the shops, including the outlet in Low Petergate, York, failed to cover costs.

Six of the 13 shops, including York, have been rescued by former shareholder Richard Simpson, who has bought the brand name as well as the website.

The York deal was sealed on Friday before the news was broken to the one full-time and three part time members of staff.

Stanley Burkett-Coltman, administrator with the Tenon Group, said he had always been "cautiously optimistic of achieving something" with York's branch which has continued to trade.

"We have been marketing the business to achieve a successful sale and safeguard the jobs of the employees in York.

"We managed to complete the deal late on Friday.

"It is being sold to Richard Simpson following the efforts of the joint administrators, and will continue.

He said efforts were still being made to sell the rest of the branches as going concerns.

He said: "We are continuing to trade the various other shops with a view to try and sell those as well. But the longer things drag on, the more difficult it becomes."

Rebecca Anne, former Culpeper retail executive, who now works for Richard Simpson's revived company, consisting of London head office and shops in Bath, Guildford, Oxford, Salisbury and Covent Garden, said: "What happened was a tragedy, but we are trying to ensure that it is not a disaster."

Culpeper is the oldest herbal retailer in Britain. It was started in 1927 by Hilda Leyel, a trained medicinal herbalist and founder of the Herb Society.

Updated: 11:41 Thursday, May 19, 2005