Furniture chain MFI closes down - 19th Dec 2008 6:32pm
Administrators at furniture retailer MFI say the firm has now ceased trading, with the loss of 1,400 jobs.
The company's 111 stores have now all been closed.
The administrators said that it had not been possible to sell the business and customers with outstanding orders should seek refunds.
MFI went into administration in November as the downturn in the housing market took its toll on demand for new kitchens and bedrooms.
MFI has seen sales fall in recent years, as it has faced increased competition from newer rivals such as Ikea.
The administrators could not say what redundancy payments would be made to the staff who had lost their jobs
Refunds offered
Customers with outstanding or incomplete orders have been advised to apply for a refund.
MFI: A history
Those who paid by credit card or Visa debit card should contact their card providers.
For customers who paid by cash, cheque or non-Visa debit cards, the administrators say they expect to issue a full refund by drawing on about £30m which has been frozen in various credit card company accounts.
MFI's collapse has wider ramifications.
A huge warehouse used by MFI but run by logistics firm DHL will close on 23 February if a buyer is not found.
The distribution centre, at Thorne, near Doncaster, employs 350 people.
DHL said it would seek to redeploy as many staff as possible, but had so far found new posts for only 35 people.
The company's 111 stores have now all been closed.
The administrators said that it had not been possible to sell the business and customers with outstanding orders should seek refunds.
MFI went into administration in November as the downturn in the housing market took its toll on demand for new kitchens and bedrooms.
MFI has seen sales fall in recent years, as it has faced increased competition from newer rivals such as Ikea.
The administrators could not say what redundancy payments would be made to the staff who had lost their jobs
Refunds offered
Customers with outstanding or incomplete orders have been advised to apply for a refund.
MFI: A history
Those who paid by credit card or Visa debit card should contact their card providers.
For customers who paid by cash, cheque or non-Visa debit cards, the administrators say they expect to issue a full refund by drawing on about £30m which has been frozen in various credit card company accounts.
MFI's collapse has wider ramifications.
A huge warehouse used by MFI but run by logistics firm DHL will close on 23 February if a buyer is not found.
The distribution centre, at Thorne, near Doncaster, employs 350 people.
DHL said it would seek to redeploy as many staff as possible, but had so far found new posts for only 35 people.
