Luxury British homeware store collapses into administration after 56 years

Luxury British homeware store collapses into administration after 56 years Luxury homeware brand Designers Guild has entered administration after facing 'trading challenges for several years' - dozens of staff have been made redundant A luxury homeware brand has collapsed into administration after "not being able to find a way forward". Designers Guild, with a flagship store on the King’s Road in London, had been facing “trading challenges for several years”, it stated in an announcement on social media. The decision to appoint administrators comes less than 18 months after its brand and intellectual property assets were bought by London-listed Dunelm. Designers Guild was founded in 1970 and jointly owned by Tricia Guild and her brother Simon Jeffreys. Its homeware designs were inspired by the interiors of Britain's royal residences. Products included upholstery and home accessories. Rick Harrison and Howard Smith from Interpath were appointed joint administrators today with the firm ceasing trading - which has led to 93 staff being made redundant. The company was popular in Europe and the impact of Brexit followed by the war in Ukraine has had an impact on sales. A statement from Ms Guild said: "It is with great sadness that after 56 wonderful years, Simon Jeffreys and I are closing Designers Guild Ltd." She continued "We have been supported in the UK, Europe and worldwide by our wonderful loyal clients for over 50 years. From our small beginnings to the present day their enthusiasm and involvement with the brand has been wonderful and so many have become lifelong friends. I have always been moved by their support and love of the brand. "Designer Guild Ltd has also been built on the creativity and vision of our many wonderful suppliers. From village producers in rural India to sophisticated contemporary mills in Italy and everything in between. All of the makers who translated our designs into beautiful fabrics, wallpapers, furniture, products and more have my enduring respect. Their skill and talent are always amazing and hugely appreciated." But she told how they have not been able to overcome the financial challenges. "Recent years have brought a succession of challenges for the business," she said. "Unfortunately despite the best efforts by our team and others over numerous months we have not been able to find a way forward, and this is a source of huge regret and sorrow for us." A statement from Interpath read: "The Company had experienced trading challenges for several years. With a strong European customer base, the Company was particularly exposed to the impact of Brexit and the war in Ukraine, both of which weighed heavily on sales while driving up underlying costs across the business. "In response to these increasing financial pressures, the Directors sold the Designers Guild brand and design archive to a third party in 2025, after which the Company continued to trade under a license agreement. However, the headwinds facing the business persisted. The Company faced ongoing constraints on working capital which, combined with industry-wide pressures on supply chain lead times, presented challenges in managing customer order fulfilment. "Consequently, following a review of the Company’s position, and with no solvent solutions available, the Directors took the difficult decision to file for the appointment of administrators. As a result, the business ceased to trade and, with regret, 93 members of staff have been made redundant. "The joint administrators have retained a small number of staff to assist them as they commence an orderly wind down of the business. The administrators will now seek to explore options for the business and its assets, including any residual stock." Rick Harrison, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, said: “For over 50 years, Designers Guild Limited has been one of the UK’s most recognised and respected names in the world of interior design, so it’s tremendously sad that the business has not been able to overcome its recent challenges. “As a matter of priority, we will be supporting those members of staff who have been impacted by insolvency, while we also explore options for the Company’s remaining assets, including leftover stock.”