Determine the sentiment expressed in the news from financial perspective.
Options: negative, positive

It's proved tough to sell one of the staples of Britain's beleaguered High Street, tough as old Boots. Public ‘buyers' are now reportedly sought, practically as buyers of last resort, after private equity takeover talks broke down, with an IPO potentially eyed to bring back the soap-n-smellies retailer to the stock market.
negative