Administrators have been called in to the debt-stricken furniture giant Walmsley’s which has branches in Dundee and Kirkcaldy.
The chain, which has 60 stores across the UK, assured concerned customers that it will fulfil all outstanding orders but admitted there could be a delay as a result of the action.
A spokeswoman for the company said on Thursday: “Paul Masters and Alan Clifton of Leonard Curtis Business Rescue & Recovery were appointed joint administrators.
“A sale was completed immediately following the appointment to an unconnected company. The sale included all of the stock of the business and the buyer has taken over 25 of the stores.”
However, the spokeswoman was unable to confirm if the local branches were among the 25 saved by the buyer and uncertainty now surrounds the future of the remaining stores and staff.
Dundee woman Gemma Martin (19) spent £540 on a new suite and was waiting for it to be delivered. Her shock at learning of the firm’s difficulties quickly turned to fear she could lose her money.
“I called the customer helpline and was told that I would get my order,” said the mother of one. “But they told me I had to go all the way to the Edinburgh store and show them my receipt.
“I have no transport so it is going to be a struggle for me to get through. I don’t know when I am going to manage it.”
Concerned customers can contact the helpline on 0845 076 8459.