Humberts has posted a notice on its website that it has appointed administrators.

The notice names Paul Stanley and Paul Barber of Begbies Traynor.

There has, as of yet, been no notification on the Companies House page for the company.

The notice on the website is the first direct confirmation from, or on behalf of, Humberts itself that it is in administration.

The Humberts website is also back up and running, having been taken down and replaced with a ‘maintenance’ message directing customers to make contact with a fake telephone number and non-functioning email button.

It is understood that the administrators could be looking to sell either the business and/or its name. It is believed that negotiations to sell the latter are well advanced.

There are a number of businesses run by franchisees which trade as Humberts and that are still actively in business.

On Rightmove, for example, at the weekend there were properties listed by Humberts in Stamford, East Grinstead and Norwich.

Tim Stephens, director of the Norwich office, told EYE: “The franchise offices are continuing to trade as normal.”