THE future of a furniture store in Worcester is uncertain after the company announced it would close 27 branches nationwide.
It is not yet known when the Oak Furnitureland store at Blackpole is under-threat after the furniture giant said it had earmarked 27 of its 105 stores for closure as trading conditions “continue to be challenging.”
On June 15, the retailer was acquired by global investment manager Davidson Kempner Capital Management following a sales process by Deloitte.
At the time of the deal, its new owners said they would launch a strategic review into its operations to secure its financial position.
It said that business has “stabilised” since showrooms have reopened following the lockdown but still needs to enforce closures as a result of the testing retail environment.
Consultations have started with landlords of these stores, while talks have also started with the 163 employees at risk of redundancy.
Oak Furnitureland chief executive officer Alex Fisher said: “The current proposal to close some showrooms forms part of a company-wide review that we are undertaking as a business.
“We are committed to driving forward a plan for our future growth, and although this has been a difficult decision, it is the right one for the business in these uniquely challenging times.
“We are confident that the decision will ensure we remain a competitive and dynamic choice for our customers.
“I would like to say thank you to all of my colleagues in every department who have been endlessly committed and patient during this process.”
The chain has branches in the following locations:
Aberdeen
Ayr
Barnstaple
Basingstoke
Belfast - Boucher Road
Birstall
Bolton
Brent Cross
Brighton
Bristol - Cribbs Causeway
Broadstairs
Burnley
Cambridge
Cardiff
Carlisle
Chelmsford
Cheltenham
Chester
Coventry
Crawley
Croydon
Derby
Derry
Doncaster
Dudley - Merry Hill
Dundee
Durham
Eastbourne
Edinburgh - Fort Kinnaird
Enfield
Exeter
Farnborough
Gateshead
Glasgow - Oak Furniture Land - Uddingston
Guildford
Haverfordwest
Hereford
Huddersfield
Hull
Inverness
Ipswich
Kettering
Kirkcaldy
Leeds
Leicester
Lincoln
Liverpool - Speke
Llandudno
Macclesfield
Maidstone
Manchester
Merthyr Tydfil
Milton Keynes
New Malden
Newport
Norwich
Nottingham
Oldham
Orpington
Paisley
Peterborough
Plymouth
Poole
Portsmouth
Preston
Reading
Romford
Rotherham
Rugby
Salisbury
Sheffield
Slough
Solihull
South Ruislip
Southampton - Hedge End
Southend On Sea
Stafford
Stevenage
Stirling
Stockton
Stoke
Sutton In Ashfield
Swansea
Swindon
Tamworth
Taunton
Thurrock
Truro
Tunbridge Wells
Wallasey
Warrington
Watford
Wednesbury
Weston Super Mare
Worcester
Wrexham
Yeovil
York
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