TWO managers at a former Jessops shop are trying to save their store by taking it on themselves – but an unexpected charge may scupper their hopes.

Paul Crockett and Robert Peckham have worked at the Bicester branch of Jessops for the past six years.

They were made redundant when the firm was put into administration on January 9.

But the pair decided to try to reopen the shop as an independent camera and photo services store.

Their plan could save six jobs at the shop.

They have started negotiations with Jessops administrators’ Pricewaterhouse-Coopers (PwC), which agreed they could take on the shop’s fixtures and fittings for free.

Manager Mr Crockett, 32, and assistant Mr Peckham, 52, also spoke to Fuji, owner of a photo processor in the shop, and the company agreed they could also have the £10,000 machine for the new venture free of charge.

The pair hope to relaunch the store within weeks but fear a £15,000 bill from London-based property agents Prime Retail, appointed by PwC to transfer the lease, could wreck their plans.

Father-of-two Mr Crockett, from Southwold, Bicester, said: “We were staggered. In this economic climate, surely it’s essential to avoid yet another empty high street shop unit, and maintain the continuity of the business if possible.”

Father-of-two Mr Peckham, of Kings End, Bicester, said: “This £15,000 is completely beyond our planned budget.

“If we cannot proceed with this relaunch, then the fixtures, fittings and minilab will be removed, the shop will become empty and the lease will revert to the original owners of the building.

“We could then take a new lease on the premises directly from the landlords without the PWC charge, but apart from the delays this will cause, we would also need to find the money to have another minilab installed along with all new fixtures and fittings. It seems totally crazy.”

Rent on the 500 sq ft Sheep Street shop is £21,000 a year.

The Bicester property is owned by Mary and Peter Evans and Pat Jenkins. Mr Evans said he was unaware of the situation but his immediate reaction was the agent was demanding too much money.

Jamie Ludlow, said Mr Crockett and Mr Peckham were getting the fittings for free, and administrators’ fees had to be paid.

The £15,000 also includes legal fees and agents’ fees.