Soft furnishings business Ena Shaw has entered administration. Established in 1932, the family run company specialised in the manufacture and retailing of curtains and related soft furnishing products. It had employed 167 staff members, the majority of which have been made redundant. Administrators Lindsey Cooper and Chris Ratten of RSM Restructuring Advisory LLP said that the business had tried to find a buyer as a going concern after difficult trading conditions impacted its sales. A small number of staff have been retained in the short term to assist with the closure.
Lindsey Cooper of RSM said: “Ena Shaw has recently faced challenging trading conditions resulting from an unsettled retail market and increased competition from online and overseas manufacturers. It is always very sad when a long-standing family business with close community ties has to close.”
A market commentator who has asked to remain anonymous said: “There has been a downturn in the home furnishings market yet the likes of Dunelm and Next are doing well. It is a shame that they and many others choose to import ready made curtains and cushions, rather than support UK manufacturers like Ena Shaw. I can only hope that a buyer will see value in retaining the skills of the workforce and the equipment of this business.”
Share