The Original Factory Shop has entered administration, placing 137 stores and 1,180 jobs in jeopardy. Administrators from Interpath Advisory took control last week to explore potential rescue options for the discount retailer.
Stores across the UK continue to operate normally during this period, allowing customers to shop as usual. However, the company’s online platform has ceased operations indefinitely.
Challenges Impacting the Business
Recent economic pressures have severely affected the retailer. High cost inflation, escalating labor expenses, and reduced consumer spending have all contributed to declining sales. Additional complications arose from disruptions with the third-party warehouse and logistics provider, exacerbating the financial strain.
Established in 1969, the Original Factory Shop expanded into a familiar presence on high streets nationwide. Last year, investment firm Modella Capital acquired the business, but ongoing trading difficulties proved insurmountable.
Administrator’s Statement
Rick Harrison, managing director at Interpath Advisory and joint administrator, stated: “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.”
Full List of Affected Store Locations
The following 137 locations face uncertainty:
- 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
