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Arthur.M

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  1. I've read on another forum that three Sofa Workshop stores are about to close soon. This is after the recent buyout. Someone said that the previous owner who has just bought the company has now moved on after just a few months. I don't know what's going on there, but it's worrying for the staff who work very hard and do an enormous job. Maybe a Sofa Workshop employee can tell us? (If indeed they know). I think if I was ordering a new sofa from them it would be prudent not to leave a deposit, but to pay the full price on delivery. When the company was bought early this year the debts from the old Sofa Workshop were left for the administrator to pick up. Staff were not paid either. Many people lost a lot of money. Me included! I've heard that the 'Birmingham store problem' which precipitated the company's downfall is still lurking in the background. When this hits the headlines, my guess is that more than three stores will go. I can't see any company sustaining such an onslaught in the press without folding.
  2. Sofa Workshop was bought as an 'asset sale' by the new owners. This means that they have not bought the considerable debts or liabilities that go with it. They still trade under the same name but previous guarantees will not be honoured. This doesn't seem fair or legal, but it is! You will have to make any claim to the administrators but bear in mind that because of the massive debts the company built up, there will be nothing left in the pot. The only comfort you will get is when another 3 stores close, which is imminent. My guess is that the remaining stores won't be able to sustain to company. The lot will be gone in a matter of months if the economic climate doesn't pick up, which looks unlikely. I know members of staff and feel really sorry for them. Their morale is at an all time low. Many are leaving for lower paid jobs just to get away. Of course, any new customers should be worried too. I hope not too many leave a large deposit when ordering. They must always insist on making payment on delivery. NEVER EARLIER, or they could lose their money again, like last time.
  3. Bond 1982, you seem to know a lot about what's going on. I can confirm that everything you have said is 100 per cent correct. I too have heard about the 'saviour' moving on. I do worry that Sofa Workshop is still struggling, but then again, many businesses are. The 'Birmingham problem' just won't go away and the new owners are aware of this. It's quite scary. If news gets out it won't be helpful to the remaining stores. I have many friends working at Sofa Workshop and all of them are desperate to get out. They are worried that they won't get paid again. They are still smarting from the last episode. I also had a bounced cheque from the company. I am trying, on behalf of my company, (along with others) to get something back from the administrators. There is still a problem with quality. The manufacturers in the far east appear to have lowered their standards in trying to cut corners to produce the sofas.I can't say I blame them. This is a world recession after all. Sadly, I must report that three of the remaining stores are expected to close very soon. I suppose we will see ex-employees complaining that they haven't been paid again. I really feel for them. Sofa Workshop's reputation was dealt a massive blow by the incompetence of the previous management. They have a lot to answer for.
  4. I know a lot about what happened at the Sofa Workshops store in Birmingham. The problems at this store caused the downfall of the company. It involved the worst kind of bullying, harassment and violation of dignity ever seen in the UK. The management failed abysmally in its duty to protect. I've seen the correspondence surrounding this case and quite frankly I was appalled. Being closely involved with the problem at the store I can say that many customers wrote in complaining about what happened there. I know for a fact that BBC consumer programme is taking a close look at things. I can't see it helping the remaining 11 stores at all. Once the public is aware of this, nobody will shop at Sofa Workshop. The staff at the Chester store must be having sleepless nights. Chester is the only concession in the group and not owned by the company. I've heard from several members of staff at other stores and they are now worried about their jobs too. They remember what happened with the administrator a few weeks ago and the way it was handled then. Nobody feels secure. It's a real mess. I can't see the company surviving. (Just my opinion, of course). If anybody from a UK news agency wishes to contract me I'd be only too pleased to pass on all correspondence, but beware, it's pretty damning and quite disturbing. I actually wonder if the new owner was aware of what was brewing in the background when he bought the company.
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