Jobs lost as UK retailer 'disappears' and closes all 137 stores

The Original Factory Shop has closed its stores. (Image: Newsquest)

A UK retailer has "disappeared" from the high street as all of its 137 stores have now closed, causing major job losses.

The Original Factory Shop, which sells discounted homewares, furniture, electrical goods and toys, shut its store in Carterton at the end of March.

On the business’s Facebook page, last-minute discounts were being offered on clothing down to £2 an item.

Last month, a spokesperson for the store said: “Everything in store is now up to 85 per cent off as we prepare to close our doors this weekend.

“This is your last chance to grab a bargain - once it’s gone, it’s gone."

This came after the business fell into administration in January, with the troubles driven by trading conditions, according to administrators.

These were linked to high-cost inflation, fragile consumer confidence and rising labour costs caused by government policies.

Problems were then exacerbated by issues linked to its third-party warehouse and logistics operator, weakening sales further.

Aberfeldy, Arbroath, Atherstone, Abergele, Ashford, Alnwick, Ashington, Ayr
Ballycastle, Bangor, Bargoed, Barmouth, Barton-upon-Humber, Bathgate, Beccles, Biggin Hill, Bishops Cleeve
Bexhill-on-Sea, Brecon, Bridgnorth, Bridport, Bridlington, Burnham-on-Crouch, Burnley, Bungay
Blackburn, Belper, Bodmin, Brandon, Buckie, Blairgowrie
Calne, Carterton, Corsham, Cupar, Crewkerne
Dalbeattie, Dingwall, Dorking
Ebbw Vale, Ellon
Forfar, Fraserburgh
Gillingham (Dorset), Girvan
Hawick, Helensburgh, Honiton
Inverurie
Jedburgh
Kendal, Keswick, Kirkham
Lanark, Largs, Liskeard, Loughton
Melksham, Mexborough, Milngavie, Middlewich
Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Newry
Oxted
Perth, Peterhead, Port Talbot
Ripon
Saltcoats, Selby, South Molton, Staveley, Stonehaven
Turriff
Ulverston
Whitby, Wick, Workington, West Wickham

Now, according to a new report by JOE, The Original Factory Shop has "disappeared" from the high street as all 137 stores have now been closed.

The report said: "As per The Mirror, the business has now closed all its shops as well as its head office."

Employing around 1,200 people, the brand was purchased by Modella Capital last year and was "already on the brink of collapse" when it was acquired.

Carterton was the sole Oxfordshire store, although Claire’s, which is also owned by Modella and is in administration, has a store at Oxford Westgate.

Get involved
with the news