1,180 jobs may be at risk in the move
The Original Factory Shop has entered administration, placing the future of the chain’s 137 stores and 1,180 employees in jeopardy. The discount retailer, which stocks items including clothing and homeware, appointed administrators from Interpath Advisory today (January 28)
Trading will continue from its outlets across the UK whilst insolvency specialists evaluate options in an attempt to rescue the business. However, it has ceased online operations, though all internet purchases made before Wednesday will be fulfilled as usual.
Administrators stated that The Original Factory Shop’s difficulties have been caused by tough trading conditions, connected to high cost inflation, fragile consumer confidence and escalating labour expenses resulting from government policies. These problems were then worsened by complications with its third-party warehouse and logistics provider, further damaging sales.
Rick Harrison, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, said: “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.”
He added: “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.”
The company lodged its notice to appoint administrators earlier this month, alongside fashion accessories retailer Claire’s. Claire’s, which employs 1,355 staff across the UK, entered administration on Monday (January 26).
Both retailers had previously undergone restructuring processes and were acquired by investment firm Modella Capital last year. Modella has emerged as a major player in the British retail sector, having purchased the WH Smith high street chain last year and acquired arts and crafts retailer Hobbycraft in 2024.
Full list of The Original Factory Shops that could be at risk
* Abergele, Conwy
* Alnwick, Northumberland
* Annan, Dumfries and Galloway
* Ashington, Northumberland
* Atherstone, Warwickshire
* Attleborough
* Ayr
* Ballycastle, Moyle
* Bangor, North Wales
* Barmouth, Gwynedd
* Barton on Humber, North Lincs
* Bathgate, West Lothian
* Bexhill On Sea, East Sussex
* Biggin Hill, Kent
* Bishops Cleeve, Gloucestershire
* Blandford Forum
* Brandon, Suffolk
* Bridgnorth, Shropshire
* Bridport, Dorset
* Buckie
* Bungay, Suffolk
* Cainscross, Gloucestershire
* Calne, Wiltshire
* Campbeltown, Argyll
* Cardigan, Dyfed
* Carluke, South Lanarkshire
* Carterton, Oxfordshire
* Castle Douglas, Dumfries
* Cinderford, Gloucestershire
* Cleethorpes, North East Lincs
* Clitheroe, Lancs
* Congleton
* Corsham, Wiltshire
* Cowdenbeath, Fife
* Cranleigh, Surrey
* Crewkerne, Somerset
* Cromer, Norfolk
* Crowborough, East Sussex
* Dalry, Ayrshire
* Dereham, Norfolk
* Downham Market, Norfolk
* Dunbar, East Lothian
* Egremont, Cumbria
* Felixstowe, Suffolk
* Forfar, Dundee
* Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire
* Frodsham, Cheshire
* Galston, Ayrshire
* Garforth, West Yorkshire
* Garstang, Preston
* Gillingham, Dorset
* Gorleston on Sea
* Haddington
* Harleston, Norfolk
* Haslemere, Surey
* Headcorn, Kent
* Heathfield, East Sussex
* Hereford, Herefordshire
* Holbeach, Lincolnshire
* Holsworthy, Devon
* Honiton, Devon
* Horncastle, Lincolnshire
* Hornsea, Yorkshire
* Kelso, Scottish Borders
* Kippax, West Yorkshire (inside Co Op)
* Kirkintilloch, Glasgow
* Lampeter, Ceredigion
* Lanark, South Lanarkshire
* Lancaster, Lancashire
* Langold, Worksop
* Leiston, Suffolk
* Leominster, Herefordshire
* Lutterworth, Leicestershire
* Lydney, Gloucestershire
* Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire
* Machynlleth, Gwynedd
* Melksham, Wiltshire
* Melton Mobray
* Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire
* Minehead, Somerset
* Monifieth
* Montrose, Angus
* Nailsea, North Somerset
* New Ollerton, Newark
* Newhaven, East Sussex
* Newquay, Cornwall
* Northallerton
* Oban, Argyllshire
* Oxted, Surrey
* Penrith
* Plympton, Plymouth (inside Co Op)
* Porth, Mid Glamorgan
* Porthmadog, Gwynedd
* Portrush, County Antrim
* Prudhoe, Northumberland (inside Co Op)
* Pwllheli, Gwynedd
* Redruth, Cornwall
* Ripon, North Yorkshire
* Romsey, Hampshire
* Ross on Wye, Herefordshire
* Rushden, Northamtonshire
* Rustington, West Sussex
* Saltash, Cornwall
* Saxmundham, Suffolk
* Seaton, Devon
* Sherborne, Dorset
* Shildon, County Durham
* Shotts, North Lanarkshire (inside Co Op)
* Skegness, Lincolnshire
* Sleaford, Lincolnshire
* Snettisham, Norfolk
* South Molton, Devon
* Southam, Warwickshire
* Spilsby, Lincolnshire
* St Clears, Carnarthenshire
* Stalham, Norfolk
* Stanley, County Durham
* Stewarton, East Ayrshire
* Stonehaven
* Stornoway, Isle of Lewis (inside Co Op)
* Stranraer, Dumfrieshire
* Sturminster Newton, Dorset
* Tenterden, Kent
* Thurso, Caithness
* Tiptree, Essex
* Todmorden, Lancashire
* Tranent, East Lothian
* Troon, Ayrshire
* Ulverston, Cumbria
* Warrenpoint, County Down
* Warwick, Warwickshire
* Watton, Norfolk
* Whitby, North Yorkshire (inside Co Op)
* Whittlesey, Peterborough
* Wigton, Cumbria
* Withernsea, Hull
* Wokingham
* Wrentham, Suffolk
* Wymonham, Norfolk
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