DIYWEEK.net

Part of the struggling furniture business Sofa Workshop has been sold to one of the original founders of the business.
Part of the struggling furniture business Sofa Workshop has been sold to one of the original founders of the business.

The business, which had a turnover of £30m in the year to 31 May 2008, has been sold to Erewash Upholstery Limited.

Erewash are controlled by a consortium of investors led by Andrew Cussins, who originally founded Sofa Workshop in 1985.

Ten of the stores across the UK are included in the sale, together with 50 jobs, however staff at the 20 other stores and the firm's head offices have not been kept on.

Neil Bennett, of administrators Leonard Curtis, said: "It is unfortunate we have not been able to save more of the original jobs.

"What is important is that we are ensuring the completion of all current customer orders - all of which will be taken on by the new business."

The stores staying open are in Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Guildford, Kingston, and Tunbridge Wells, four of the London stores are also to remain trading at Battersea, Chiswick, King's Road and Tottenham Court Road.

Mr Bennett added: "The basic idea was good but the business itself had suffered in the current economic climate.

"The new slimmed-down organisation, backed by website and mail order seems to be the right business model for the times, we wish them every success."