BREAKING: Mobility retailer Middletons enters into administration
Mobility retailer Middletons, a specialist in recliner chairs, adjustable beds and mobility scooters, has entered into administration.
Established 10 years ago in 2013, Middletons was the bricks and mortar proposition from the owners of direct-sales furniture brand Oak Tree Mobility, Tom Powell and Ricky Towler.
Ricky Towler left the firm in December 2022 but Tom Powell wrote to staff on 9th January to confirm that the company will unfortunately cease to trade and enter into administration.
Pointing to the reasons for it falling into administration the letter stated that it had experienced rises in our costs, difficulty with its supply chain, and a fall in consumer confidence due to the current economic climate.
The letter stated that Middletons was not able to adapt quickly enough to the challenging trading conditions, or to meet the additional financial demands placed upon it.
Staff have been advised that advisors are being appointed to help with the closure of Middletons and they will be invited to an online meeting to discuss what happens next and any support that they might be entitled to. The administrators will also assist with any wages due for the period from 1 January 2023.
With ambitions to turn the mobility retailer into one of the dominant players in the market, Middletons had previously secured a substantial co-investment from the newly formed Development Bank of Wales and Bristol-based Wealth Club in 2018 of £3.8 million.
Throughout 2018 and 2019, the mobility retailer went on to launch more than 15 stores across the West Midlands, Central England and South West of England.
After lockdown was announced during the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, its stores closed for three months, re-opening again in the June that same year.
One month after lockdown, the company launched an e-commerce option for customers to buy from the company, including free delivery on its ranges of scooters, beds and chairs.
Prior to the outbreak, the company cut the ribbon on its Reading store in February 2020, after confirming to THIIS that it planned to open six new stores in the first half of 2020.
The spread of the coronavirus and subsequent lockdown of non-essential retail stores seemed to put a halt on the firm’s aggressive growth plans.
THIIS has contacted Tom Powell for further comment and any further updates will be shared here.
