Original Factory Shop Initiates Clearance Sale Following Multiple Store Closures
The Original Factory Shop, a well-known discount retailer on British high streets, has launched a significant closing down sale at its Bridgnorth location in Shropshire. This move comes in the wake of the permanent closure of four other branches, as the company grapples with financial difficulties that led to its entry into administration.
Details of the Bridgnorth Sale and Ongoing Uncertainty
At the Bridgnorth store, customers can now avail themselves of substantial discounts, including 20% off all clothing items and 30% off toys. The shop announced this clearance event through a Facebook update, stating, "We are still receiving a large amount of questions regarding a closing day. As yet we are still unaware of a timeframe and I will update as soon as I can. But in the mean time we are still receiving some great stock in at amazing discounted prices so pop in to grab some bargains whilst we are still here."
This message highlights the uncertainty surrounding the store's future, with no confirmed closing date provided, encouraging shoppers to take advantage of the bargains while stock remains available.
Administration and Recent Store Closures
The backdrop to this sale is the appointment of administrators from Interpath Advisory at the end of last month. At the time of this announcement, The Original Factory Shop operated 137 stores across the UK and employed approximately 1,180 people. The company has already shut down its website, signaling deeper operational challenges.
Recent closures include the store in Prudhoe, Northumberland, which ceased operations last week. Additionally, three branches in Northern Ireland—located in Ballycastle and Portrush in County Antrim, and Warrenpoint in County Down—are set to close imminently. These shutdowns reflect the broader struggles facing the retailer.
Causes of Financial Distress
Administrators have cited several factors contributing to the company's financial woes. Key issues include high cost inflation, rising labour expenses, and reduced consumer spending, which have collectively led to lower sales volumes. Compounding these problems are operational difficulties linked to the retailer's third-party warehouse and logistics provider, exacerbating the strain on the business.
Founded in 1969, The Original Factory Shop was acquired by investment firm Modella Capital just last year, indicating that recent ownership changes have not been sufficient to stabilize its operations.
Statements from Administrators and Future Prospects
Rick Harrison, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, commented on the situation, saying, "The Original Factory Shop has long-been a cornerstone of local high streets up and down the country. Unfortunately, however, trading challenges have impacted the business such that the company had to be placed into administration. Over the coming weeks, we will be working closely with TOFS dedicated team of employees as we endeavour to operate all stores as a going concern while we assess options for the business."
This statement underscores the administrators' commitment to maintaining store operations as a going concern during the assessment period, offering a glimmer of hope for the remaining outlets and their staff.
Full List of The Original Factory Shop Locations
Below is a comprehensive list of The Original Factory Shop locations across the UK, highlighting its extensive presence prior to the recent closures:
- Abergele, Wales
- Alnwick, Northumberland
- Annan, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
- Ashington, Northumberland
- Atherstone, Warwickshire
- Attleborough, Norfolk
- Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland
- Ballycastle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
- Bangor, Wales
- Barmouth, Wales
- Barton-upon-Humber, Lincolnshire
- Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland
- Bexhill, East Sussex
- Biggin Hill, Greater London
- Bishops Cleeve, Gloucestershire
- Brandon, Suffolk
- Bridgnorth, Shropshire
- Bridport, Dorset
- Buckie, Banffshire, Scotland
- Bungay, Suffolk
- Cainscross, Gloucestershire
- Calne, Wiltshire
- Campbeltown, Argyll, Scotland
- Cardigan, Wales
- Carluke, Lanarkshire
- Carterton, Oxfordshire
- Castle Douglas, Scotland
- Cinderford, Gloucestershire
- Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire
- Clitheroe, Lancashire
- Congleton, Cheshire
- Corsham, Wiltshire
- Cowdenbeath, Fife, Scotland
- Cranleigh, Surrey
- Crewkerne, Somerset
- Cromer, Norfolk
- Crowborough, East Sussex
- Dalry, Ayrshire, Scotland
- Downham Market, Norfolk
- Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland
- East Dereham, Norfolk
- Egremont, Cumbria
- Felixstowe, Suffolk
- Forfar, Angus, Scotland
- Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
- Frodsham, Cheshire
- Galston, Ayrshire, Scotland
- Garforth, West Yorkshire
- Garstang, Lancashire
- Gillingham, Dorset
- Gorleston, Norfolk
- Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland
- Harleston, Norfolk
- Haslemere, Surrey
- Headcorn, Kent
- Heathfield, East Sussex
- Hereford, Herefordshire
- Holbeach, Lincolnshire
- Holsworthy, Devon
- Horncastle, Lincolnshire
- Hornsea, East Yorkshire
- Kelso, Roxburghshire, Scotland
- Kippax, West Yorkshire
- Kirkintilloch, Dunbartonshire, Scotland
- Lampeter, Wales
- Lanark, Lanarkshire
- Lancaster, Lancashire
- Langold, Nottinghamshire
- Leiston, Suffolk
- Leominster, Herefordshire
- Lutterworth, Leicestershire
- Lydney, Gloucestershire
- Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire
- Machynlleth, Wales
- Melksham, Wiltshire
- Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire
- Milngavie, Dunbartonshire, Scotland
- Minehead, Somerset
- Monifieth, Angus, Scotland
- Montrose, Angus, Scotland
- Nailsea, Somerset
- New Ollerton, Nottinghamshire
- Newhaven, East Sussex
- Newquay, Cornwall
- Northallerton, North Yorkshire
- Oban, Argyll, Scotland
- Oxted, Surrey
- Penrith, Cumbria
- Plympton, Devon
- Porth, Wales
- Porthmadog, Wales
- Portrush, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
- Prudhoe, Northumberland
- Pwllheli, Wales
- Redruth, Cornwall
- Ripon, North Yorkshire
- Romsey, Hampshire
- Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire
- Rushden, Northamptonshire
- Rustington, West Sussex
- Saltash, Cornwall
- Saxmundham, Suffolk
- Seaton, Devon
- Sherborne, Dorset
- Shildon, County Durham
- Shotts, Lanarkshire
- Skegness, Lincolnshire
- Sleaford, Lincolnshire
- Snettisham, Norfolk
- South Molton, Devon
- Southam, Warwickshire
- Spilsby, Lincolnshire
- St Clears, Wales
- Stalham, Norfolk
- Stanley, County Durham
- Stewarton, Ayrshire, Scotland
- Stonehaven, Kincardineshire
- Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland
- Stranraer, Wigtownshire, Scotland
- Sturminster Newton, Dorset
- Tenterden, Kent
- Thurso, Caithness, Scotland
- Tiptree, Essex
- Todmorden, West Yorkshire
- Tranent, East Lothian, Scotland
- Troon, Ayrshire, Scotland
- Ulverston, Cumbria
- Warrenpoint, County Down, Northern Ireland
- Warwick, Warwickshire
- Watton, Norfolk
- Whitby, North Yorkshire
- Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire
- Wigton, Cumbria
- Withernsea, East Yorkshire
- Wokingham, Berkshire
- Wrentham, Suffolk
- Wymondham, Norfolk
The future of these remaining locations remains uncertain as administrators work to evaluate the business's viability and explore potential options for recovery or restructuring.
