Beds specialist Warren Evans is the latest furniture retailer to have slumped into administration.
The collapse leaves the future of its 287 employees, 14 London and Southeast-located stores and its factory in Walthamstow at risk.
Warren Evans, which was founded in 1978, was understood to be seeking a buyer in January with a deadline of the end of March to secure a sale.
Administrators from Duff & Phelps – the firm that was originally appointed to handle the sale process – said the search had proved “ultimately unsuccessful”.
It said sales had been strong in the pre-Christmas period, but that the “picture moving into 2018 has been dramatically different and this has impacted the search and scope for new investment”.
“Trading conditions are exceptionally challenging with the business hit by rising manufacturing costs and the continued squeeze on consumer wallets and confidence,” Duff & Phelps added.
Warren Evans follows the collapse of sofa chain Multiyork and beds rival Feather & Black.
Multiyork’s assets were liquidated, with DFS swooping on eight of its stores and the rights to its brand name.
The majority of Feather & Black was snapped up by mattress firm Hilding Anders late last year, securing 104 UK jobs.
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