The Go Outdoors chain employs around 2,400 staff in 67 stores around the UK, including the large Saville Road industrial estate store in Peterborough.
Owners JD Sports has asked for a 10-day moratorium to ensure that creditors cannot take legal action against the business without permission from the court.
Go Outdoors relies on its physical stores for most of its sales, so lockdown impacted the business massively - although there were problems that pre-date the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement, the owners said: “The group can confirm that it has considered a number of strategic options for Go and that Go’s directors have lodged the notice in court.
“This notice creates an immediate moratorium around the company and its property, which lasts for 10 business days.
“During this moratorium, Go’s creditors cannot take legal action or continue with any existing legal proceedings against the company without the court’s permission.”
It added: “Administrators have not yet been appointed and the group will make no further comment at this time.”
Other retail and restaurant chains have revealed that sites may not re-open as the lockdown restrictions ease, with the owners of Frankie and Benny's reporting that many sites are "no longer viable to trade" and Monsoon collapsing into administration at the beginning of the month.
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