Laura Ashley owner in crisis talks to secure emergency funding

Retail chain, which employs 2,700 people, will ‘consider all options’ amid sales slumpLaura Ashley has confirmed that its Malaysian owner is locked in make-or-break talks with its bank over access to emergency funding as the fashion and furniture retailer revealed a steep drop in sales amid “challenging” conditions for the sector.The company, which is listed in the UK, said it would have to “consider all appropriate options” if it could not get hold of more ca