Fears as bedroom store stops trading


13 April 2007 08:43

Customers of a company which has just shut down were today reassured their orders would be honoured - even though the city store has ceased trading.

The HomeForm Group, which is the British parent company of Moben kitchens, Sharps bedrooms and Dolphin Bathrooms, was sold to US private equity firm Sun Capital last week.

The firm had a showroom in London Street in Norwich but the branch was closed last Friday following the sale, leaving its three staff jobless.

It was part of a cost cutting cull of 10 of 160 of the company's non profitable showrooms across the country.

Manager Ivana Dorale, who has worked at the store for five years, said she was devastated. She had a phone call telling her not to go into work last Saturday.

“The shop wasn't doing badly and I think the problem was the rent was really high, I think it was about £4,000 per week.

“I'm 58 so I have got a slim chance of finding another job. I am going to have to go on the dole and the money I will get from that will only cover my bills. The company made the wrong decision to close, they should have found cheaper premises.”

Another employee working in the London Street store got back from holiday on Monday to be told she did not have a job to go back to. She said: “The head office came up and closed the store last Friday and that was it. We have all lost our jobs and I am going to have to claim Jobseekers' Allowance now.”

Dozens of customers are now anxiously waiting to see whether the fitted wardrobes, bedroom, bathroom and furniture will be delivered on time.

A spokesman for HomeForm said the only other branch in Norfolk is in King's Lynn which was continuing to trade. He said: “The ones we have closed are not commercially viable. The company continues to trade.

“This is a very small number of stores that we have closed. HomeForm will honour all commitments, warranties and guarantees for products ordered but not yet fitted.”

Several stores in the London Street and Castle Street areas of the city have closed or relocated since Chapelfield arrived in the city two years ago with many traders complaining of soaring rents.

Do you have a business story? Call Evening News business reporter Naomi Canton on 01603 772418 or email naomi.canton@ archant.co.uk

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