Guy Hands is talking to three banks about introducing £100m (€150m) of new debt to Thresher, the UK wine retailer that Nomura, Hands' former employer, acquired for £225m in 2000.

Sources close to Terra Firma, the buy-out firm Hands formed in 2002 to manage Nomura's portfolio as well as making its own investments, said the aim was to take Thresher through its next stage of development. But bankers said Terra Firma was facing tough negotiations as they seek assurance that Thresher has put its troubles behind it. Management turned a £28m loss in 2000 into a £32m profit the following year, but profits have since fallen. The company made £23m in the year to February 28 2004, according to sources close to Thresher.