The trading director of Shop Direct, parent company of Woolworths Online, has left the firm – sparking speculation that the business is in trouble.

David Inglis left last week, according to Associated Newspapers, after relaunching the Woolworths brand online in June.

As reported by MCV, the firm has snapped up former Woolwroths games boss Gerry Berkley – and kicked off a nationwide marketing campaign.

Shop Direct said in a statement that trading at Woolworths was 'in line with expectations and we are particularly pleased with the children's clothes label, Ladybird, which is performing strongly'.

It said in the five weeks since the launch there had been millions of hits on the website.

Shop Direct's brands also include Additions, Empire Stores, Great Universal and Kays. Turnover is about £1.5bn.

It said: “We continually review our structure to ensure we have the best fit to meet the changing demands we face. David Inglis's recent departure is part of the wider restructuring of the management team.”

Meanwhile, Claire Robertson, the former Woolworths manager who reopened her branch as Wellworths, is in talks with unnamed venture capitalists over funding for expansion.

She hopes to turn three more former Woolworths stores into Wellworths this year.