Harveys stores in Kent face uncertain future as furniture group calls in administrators

Furniture store Harveys has gone into administration - putting at risk jobs and its stores in Kent.

Customers are no longer able to place orders, but those awaiting delivery have been told they will still receive the goods.

Harveys is the latest big name to fall as a result of the pandemic
Harveys is the latest big name to fall as a result of the pandemic

The chain has outlets in Ashford, Canterbury, Tunbridge Wells, Aylesford, Thanet and Gillingham.

Administrators have been called in by Blue Group, which owns both Harveys and Bensons for Beds.

A deal should see the majority of Bensons stores continue - but Harveys faces an uncertain future with a number of redundancies already made.

Zelf Hussain, joint administrator at accountants PwC, said: “The group had been facing increasingly challenging trading conditions in recent months, in particular the Harveys furniture business. This has resulted in cash flow pressures, exacerbated by the effects of coronavirus on the supply chain and customer sales. It has not been possible to secure further investment to continue to trade the group in its current form.

"Following our appointment, we immediately completed a sales process for certain business and assets of the group. This sale puts the ongoing business on a firmer financial footing in its restructured form as a Bensons for Beds-only model, whilst preserving 1,899 jobs. The purchasers will be working with the existing management team to continue to grow and develop the business.

Harveys opened its Ashford store in 2014
Harveys opened its Ashford store in 2014

“The Harveys furniture related retail and manufacturing businesses will continue to trade in administration whilst all options are explored. Some 1,330 employees have been retained to support this trading period.

“It was regrettably necessary to make 240 employees redundant due to the economic position of the group."

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