Jobs are at risk at one popular discount chain as it announced that it has gone into administration. While shop closures are not confirmed, the future of the 137 Original Factory Shop stores across the UK is uncertain. It was announced on January 28 that the chain had fallen into administration. The discount chain sells products including clothing and homeware, and appointed administrators from Interpath Advisory on Wednesday.
It has a total of 97 stores in England, 29 in Scotland, 10 in Wales and three in Northern Ireland. Insolvency experts are now assessing options in a bid to keep the business afloat. All locations will continue to trade in the meantime. However, the retailer has now shut down its online operations, although all online sales made before Wednesday will be delivered as normal. The move comes amid challenging trading conditions, linked to high cost inflation, fragile consumer confidence and rising labour costs caused by government policies, according to administrators.
It has also introduced a new pricing strategy in a bid to attract customers to its remaining stores. With Poundland stores shutting and The Original Factory Shop falling into administration, fears over the health of the high street are once again on many people’s minds.
The Poundland stores earmarked for closure in 2026 are:
Meanwhile, The Original Factory Shop has stores in the following locaitons:
- Porth – Dinas Enterprise Centre, Cymmer Road, Porth, Mid Glamorgan
- Abergele – Marine Road, Abergele, Conwy
- Barmouth – High St, Barmouth, Gwynedd
- Porthmadog – 70 High Street, Porthmadog, Gwynedd
- Pwllheli – 86 High Street, Pwllheli, Gwynedd
- Bangor (N Wales) – The Menai Shopping Centre, Bangor
- St. Clears – Pentre Road, St Clears, Carmarthenshire
- Cardigan – High Street, Cardigan, Dyfed
- Lampeter – inside the Co op, Lower Bridge Street, Lampeter, Ceredigion
- Machynlleth – inside the Co op, 80-88 Maengwyn Street, Machynlleth, Gwynedd
Northern Ireland (3 stores)
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