80-year-old flooring firm in administration with third of counters to close

80-year-old flooring firm in administration with third of counters to close More than 150 jobs are being cut Flooring firm Headlam has cut 154 jobs after tumbling into administration, and will close a third of its counters. The Birmingham-based company said it has also closed 28 trade counters – a store within a factory to sell products to tradespeople – across the UK as a result. Headlam, founded in 1948, hired administrators from advisory firm Interpath on Tuesday but said it will continue to trade while a restructuring takes place. The company, which currently employs around 1,300 workers, said it will undertake a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) restructuring, which will close more than a third of its 76 trade counters. The remaining 17 distribution centres and 48 trade counters will remain open, it said. Administrators said the business will also launch a refinancing of its debt facilities and cost reduction measures in order to help make its finances “sustainable” for the longer term. Headlam, which specialises in floor coverings, saw its shares suspended at the start of September after warning that it expected to hire administrators due to a shortage of liquidity. The administrators said the firm was knocked by recent economic challenges, including cost inflation and fragile consumer confidence. On Wednesday, Will Wright, UK chief executive at Interpath and joint administrator to Headlam Group, said: “Our immediate priority is to those employees whose roles have been lost as a result of today’s site closures. “We understand this is devastating news and we are committed to ensuring that everyone impacted receives the support and information they need as quickly as possible. “For the rest of the business, our focus is on implementing a restructuring that will give Headlam the best chance possible of recovery. Subject to the ongoing support of the group’s key stakeholders, including customers and suppliers, we believe the proposed plan provides a credible path to stabilising the business.”