The official receivers dealing with the bankruptcy of department store group V&D are in ‘advanced talks’ with a Dutch company about a restart, according to a memo to personnel leaked to tv current affairs show Nieuwsuur.

The memo indicates the talks are continuing with just one interested party but states the finances have not yet been finalised. Nor is it clear if the owners of the 63 V&D stores nationwide want to rent their properties to another department store group.

In the memo, chief executive John van der Ent urges staff to remain optimistic about a deal. V&D went bust just before Christmas after its American private equity owner pulled out.

Dutch media said on Friday afternoon that Ronald Kahn, owner of retail group Cool Cat, is the buyer, but he has dismissed the rumours as rubbish.