* First Quench Retailing appointed KPMG as administrator
* Looking for sale as going concern to preserve jobs (Adds details)
LONDON, Oct 29 (Reuters) - First Quench Retailing, the British drinks group that owns off-licence chain Threshers, said on Thursday it had appointed administrators but is looking to save jobs by selling itself as a going concern.
The company, which has 6,500 employees across England, Scotland and Wales, has been hit by the credit crunch and competition from supermarkets.
"The Board's discussions with KPMG confirm that the best prospects for the business is a sale as a going concern thereby preserving as many jobs as possible," said the company in a statement late on Thursday.
The company, which also owns Wine Rack, the Local and Haddows, suffered a stock crisis this year across its 1,300 stores after credit insurers reduced their cover to drinks suppliers.
Earlier this month, FQR's acting chief executive, Martin Healy resigned and a new chief financial officer, Martin Boden, was appointed.
The group, backed by private equity firm Vision Capital, had previously said it was considering a number of restructuring options, including a pre-pack administration. (Reporting by Lorraine Turner; Editing by Jon Loades-Carter)