German coffee and homeware chain Tchibo looks like exiting the UK market following the closure of concessions up-and-down the country.
Rumours about the firm's commitment to the UK circulated towards the end of last year.

Leading the company to announce it will close its concessions in Somerfield and Sainsbury's supermarkets in 2009 as a result of the 'harsh conditions' in the high street.

Now the leases on Tchibo's 50 standalone stores in the UK are reportedly up for sale.

Tchibo sells a range of kitchenware and other housewares alongside other non-food products, as well as operating coffee shops.

It's been a diffcult start to the year for the firm who outraged Germans with its new 2009 advertising campaign earlier with petrol from Esso.

The campaign used the slogan 'To Each His Own', which was also used at the entrance to the Buchenwald concentration camp.