250 staff face uncertain times at Peterborough-based TV and online shopping channel Ideal World

Uncertainty faces staff at Peterborough-based TV and online shopping channel Ideal World TV today after it suspended its TV broadcasting and website.

A notice posted on the website and Facebook site of the company, which employs 250 people at Newark Road, states: ‘We regret to inform you that Ideal World have had to temporarily suspend broadcasting and our website.’

It adds: “We're sorry for any inconvenience caused; we hope to be back online as soon as possible.”

It is also reported that Ideal World TV, which celebrated its 21st anniversary two years ago, ‘crashed off’ ITV last night where it has held a late night slot for months.

It also dropped off Virgin Media last month.

The apparent turmoil at one of the city’s leading employers comes a year after the company was broken up and sold to entrepreneur Hamish Morjaria.

But documents filed at Companies House show that Mr Morjaria ceased to have ‘significant control’ in February with Sportsdirect.com Retail Ltd taking a charge on the company early last month.

It is understood Ideal World was put up for sale with expressions of interest due by the end of last week.

The sale of Ideal World to Hamish Morjaria came a month after its sister brand, Create and Craft, which together made up Ideal Shopping Direct, was sold to Hochandra Global, of Oundle.

Hochandra Global was created in 2015 by Paul Wright and Valarie Kaye, who founded Ideal World in 2000 before selling the business.

Ideal World has been contacted for a response.