A major UK furniture maker has collapsed into administration, putting hundreds of jobs at risk.
The company’s sudden downfall highlights growing pressure on businesses as rising costs and weaker demand continue to take their toll.
Two furniture manufacturers owned by The Belfield Group have gone into administration, putting around 500 jobs at risk.
Westbridge Furniture Limited and Belfield Leisure Limited appointed administrators on March 23 after failing to secure the funding needed to stay afloat.
Westbridge, based in Holywell, Flintshire, employs about 300 staff and produces sofas and upholstery for major retailers including Marks & Spencer, John Lewis and Next.
Belfield Leisure, based in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, employs around 200 people and specialises in soft furnishings for the UK leisure sector.
Chris Pole and Will Wright from Interpath have been appointed as joint administrators.
Both companies were established in February 2025 through a pre-pack acquisition of assets from predecessor businesses within The Belfield Group.
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Shortly after incorporation, Westbridge encountered operational difficulties that proved far more damaging than anticipated.
These problems were compounded by the departure of a significant customer and poor trading performance during early 2025, creating severe cash flow pressures.
Belfield Leisure faced separate challenges as weak consumer confidence across the UK leisure market undermined its recovery efforts.
Despite implementing substantial cost reductions and regaining some market share, the business could not reach break-even and required additional capital to meet immediate financial obligations.
The joint administrators intend to keep both businesses operating while they pursue potential buyers
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GETTYDirectors of both businesses explored investment and refinancing possibilities but were ultimately unable to identify a viable solution, leading them to seek the appointment of administrators.
Chris Pole, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, said: “It’s been a challenging time for furniture manufacturers and retailers. Following a spike in demand during Covid-19, a period of falling sales, high interest rates, and inflation, have piled on the pressure for companies up and down the supply chain.
“While both Westbridge and Belfield Leisure had made positive progress on their respective turnaround journeys, both companies required further injections of capital. Unfortunately, and despite the best efforts of management to secure funding, this has not been possible, which has sadly resulted in the Companies going into administration.”
The joint administrators intend to keep both businesses operating while they pursue potential buyers. Belfield Leisure will continue trading as a going concern, whilst Westbridge will maintain operations to complete existing orders already in progress.
Around 500 staff are at risk
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GETTYMr Pole added: “We’d invite any parties who may be interested in acquiring the businesses and their assets to contact us at the earliest opportunity.”
Most employees will be retained to support the administration process, though a small number of redundancies have already been made across the two companies.
Other firms within The Belfield Group remain unaffected by the administration.
Tetrad Furniture Limited and Clinchplain Foam and Fibre Limited continue to operate normally.