Franchisee hopes Darrell Lea buyer found

The owners of the Darrell Lea shop in Ballarat's Bridge Mall say they are hopeful a buyer can be found for the chocolate maker.Darrell Lea has been placed into voluntary administration amid fears it cannot afford to pay its debts.

The company will continue trading while a buyer is sought.

Three people work full-time at the Ballarat store and there are five casual employees.

The Ballarat franchise owner, Ian Wallis, says the best outcome would be for the company to be sold as a going concern.

"We're hopeful that the administrator is able to find a buyer and us ourselves to be able to continue to trade as a franchisee, because it would be a tragic day to see another icon Australian product go down the drain," he said.

Mr Wallis says sales at the shop have been brisk.

"We've had good growth season on season, seasonal time is a busy time for us here in the Ballarat store and we've continued to see good growth," he said.

"In the last 12 months, like all retailers, we've found it tough but we've still be able to trade successfully."

Source: ABC News, 11 July 2012