Plans to sell Laura Ashley's Newtown factories are "final recognition of the brand leaving", according to the town's mayor.

After a succession of redundancies at the historic mid Wales brand, the company's factories in Newtown were put up for sale for £6.6 million this week.

Administrators recently laid off another 150 staff in Newtown after struggling to find a buyer for the ailing business, despite selling the brand earlier in the year.

The town’s mayor, councillor David Selby, said: “I think selling the buildings was expected by it’s a sad final recognition that Laura Ashley is leaving the town.”

However, a number of businesses are also reported to have expressed an interest in the site, which provides 460,000 sq ft of accommodation across 32 acres of land, and which is on sale for £6.6 million.

“That’s really good news,” cllr Selby added. “We need to make sure the companies are expected to provide jobs as well. That’s the hope because we want investment in the town.”

“I have spoken to an officer in Powys County Council who is working with the Welsh Government to help make the town an appealing place to be. It’s about attracting people to the area.

“It’s a great opportunity for local businesses to expand. Ironically there’s been a shortage of units in the town. And although this is in very sad circumstances, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for buildings like this to be empty in the town and put into use.”

Chris Davies, Avison Young’s associate director, restructuring solutions, said: “A positive number of early enquiries have already been received and we are now actively inviting interest for the portfolio as a whole or in part, on both a for sale and to let basis.

“We look forward to working with the administrators to bring these buildings back into occupation.”