Situated on Bridge Street in York, the store will close for the final time on 2 February 2025 – depending on stock, bringing an end to 10 years at the location. The business has been established for 13 years.

Holly Box, owner of Greybear, said that the business will keep an online presence, on a more flexible basis.

“With a heavy heart, I am closing the doors to Greybear,” she said. “It’s been such a tough decision to make, the shop has always been my happy place but with a second baby on the way I just can’t give the shop the time and effort it needs to make it thrive.

“It’s been an amazing 13 years, and I want to take this opportunity to thank all our wonderful customers, and of course my unbelievable staff, for their support over the years.

“Since putting the sale on we’ve had the busiest days in Greybear history! Thank you to everyone who has messaged me, popped in to say their well wishes and expressed such kind words about the shop.

“I still have a few pieces of furniture to bring in but after a successful sale I’m afraid I don’t think we’ll be open until 2nd February, I’m pretty sure we’ll run out of stock before then but I’ll keep you posted.”

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According to its latest filed accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024, total sales fell 17.2% to £34.9m from £42.2m in 2023.

Pre-tax losses resulted at £3.5m, widening from a loss of £1.7m recorded in the previous year.

Stated within its report, the company said: “Highly competitive market conditions and consumer demand adversely affected by cost of living increases formed the back drop of market conditions for the year ended 31 March 2024.

“These market conditions contributed to decreased turnover for Fabb Furniture of £34.9m compared to £42.2m the prior year.

“Reduced freight costs resulted in an improved gross profit margin of 51% compared to 44% for the prior year, partially mitigating the impact of the decreased turnover with gross profit of £17.9m down £0.9m, or 4% over the prior year.

“Distribution costs reduced £0.4m due to the reduced turnover and administrative expenses reduced £0.3m due to management action to reduce costs in light of the tougher trading conditions.

“The prior year included other non-recurring income of £1.5m being the premium received to early surrender a lease to the landlord who wished to redevelop the site.

“The store estate had one additional store at Nottingham in the year. The Company took the decision in the year not to extend the lease at Gloucester.”

In the last quarter of the year the owners of the business commenced a process to dispose of their ownership of the business. In May 2024 the Nick Scali Limited, a listed Australian furniture retailer, acquired a 100% ownership interest in the business.

The acquisition strategy of Nick Scali Limited is to leverage its existing supplier network and differentiated high quality product range to improve both turnover and gross profit margin.

In the 2025 financial year Nick Scali Limited has commenced refurbishment of stores within the Fabb store network and deployment new product ranges into the stores.

“It is expected that initially turnover will be disrupted due to store closures for refurbishment, however the benefits of the investment will yield results by the end of the 2025 financial year,” the company added.

Read more here.

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Furniture Village currently has 56 stores throughout England, with the new Scottish store taking its portfolio to a total of 57. The Edinburgh opening is the family-run retailer’s first venture into Scotland, with further Scottish stores planned to follow in 2025.

The new store, which officially opened on 20 December 2024, covers a total space of 25,780sqft and is set across two floors. The ground floor is a total of 13,670sqft with a mezzanine level of 12,110sqft.

Charlie Harrison, Managing Director at Furniture Village, said: “We are absolutely delighted to open the doors to our newest store and our first ever in Scotland. Straiton Retail Park is a popular shopping destination for furniture and homeware in Edinburgh and so it was the perfect choice for Furniture Village’s first store in Scotland. We are thrilled to introduce our beautiful and unique furniture and accessories for every room in the home, to Scottish customers for the very first time.

“This is an incredible milestone and achievement for the business and has been many months in the making. With several more Scottish stores in the pipeline for 2025, we are excited to continue our geographic expansion and bring our fantastic furniture and accessories to even more customers throughout the UK.”

Featuring dedicated spaces from leading brands such as Tempur, Duresta, G Plan, Harrison Spinks and Hypnos, along with exclusive collections, innovative products, such as Smart Sofas, quick delivery lines and a lowest price guarantee. To celebrate the opening offers include sale prices storewide and £50 off every £500 spent until 19 February.

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The campaign – which marks the first project by krow Group since being appointed as the lead creative agency in July – highlights Bensons for Beds updated focus on its obsession with a good night’s sleep.

krow Group was tasked with launching Bensons for Beds latest strategic positioning through a new creative idea, ‘Sleep is our obsession’, as well as driving consideration and awareness. To increase traffic during this key sales period and appeal to comfort-conscious consumers, the campaign emphasises that Bensons for Beds is more than just a bed expert. Its passion for sleep drives the brand to go above and beyond, ensuring everyone can experience the transformative power of better sleep.

To show how Bensons for Beds expert staff obsess over every detail of their sleep craft, the creative focuses on behind the scenes rather than the showroom.  Shot in a predominantly white space accented with purple to reflect the brand’s identity, the Bensons for Beds team is shown meticulously inspecting beds for quality and value while continually enhancing their ‘beducation’.

The 360 campaign will be rolled out in-store and across TV, radio and social channels, Meta and Pinterest, and will also be supported with influencer activity where content creators will go ‘backstage at Benson’s’. The7stars is the media agency for this campaign.

Lisa Richards, Head of Marketing, Bensons for Beds comments; “It’s been great to kick off our new partnership with krow Group with the launch of our new strategic positioning, ‘Sleep is our obsession’. This period is such a key moment for us and the campaign truly emphasises our passion for helping our customers find the perfect bed to help them get their best night’s sleep”.

Darryl George, Group Executive Creative Director, krow Group adds; “We’re excited to launch a new positioning and creative campaign for Bensons for Beds that will cut through the bedroom clutter. It’s a crowded market, so the attention-grabbing and flexible brand world we’ve created for them will help us communicate craft, product and promotional messages effectively in every channel”.

Josh Jenkins, Client Lead at The7Stars, said; It’s been great working with krow and Bensons for Beds to bring this new strategic positioning to life through a targeted, multi-channel media strategy. Using three years of data, we’ve developed a video-first campaign and introduced new media formats, such as broadcast AdPause, to maximise brand visibility during this busy period. We can’t wait to see the results.”

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Tapi’s extensive product collections, exceptional service levels and National store network appealed to SAL. Through their membership platform, landlords are provided with an exclusive discount on Tapi’s flooring products, in addition to any in store discounts.

Working directly with the landlords at every stage of the process. Tapi can provide an end-to-end flooring service, working within a budget to choose a flooring style to suit their properties and tastes, as well as co-ordinating delivery and fitting.

With consumer budgets under pressure with increased utility bills, landlords recognise the many benefits that new flooring provides for their tenants. Not only adding additional comfort and visual appeal, it also provides insulation to help keep heating costs and noise levels down, elevating the homes that landlords can offer their tenants.

Alex Rogers, head of partnerships at Tapi, said: “This is an important partnership for Tapi. As the largest flooring retailer in the UK, it is a great opportunity for us to bring the Tapi experience to even more customers and work with landlords across Scotland. We look forward to demonstrating our extensive product and service offering to a new audience and continuing to improve even more homes.’’

SAL is the largest and only dedicated national organisation that represents landlords and letting agents throughout Scotland. Supporting and representing their member’s interests with resources and assistance as well as delivering lobbying and campaigning work. 

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These sales represent a premium of 64% to book value and 14% to the last market valuation of £47.1 million. Collectively these properties had a book value of £32.9 million and, as a result, a substantial profit will be generated on the sales; this will be recognised as non-underlying income.

The sale of these properties forms part of the Group’s strategic initiative to optimise its network, reinforcing its market-leading customer service and driving improved operational efficiency. Following exchange and simultaneous completion of the sales, the aggregate proceeds have been received in cash and the Group is now in a net cash position and continues to have an extensive property portfolio valued at £95.0 million.

The property sales arise from two separate transactions:

i.    The sale of the Ipswich, Gildersome and Leeds properties for £50.9 million. Following operational improvements, the Ipswich property has become surplus to requirements and will be fully vacated by the Group after completing the relocation to the new distribution centre in Rayleigh in Q1 2025. The Group has agreed a leaseback arrangement in relation to the Gildersome and Leeds properties.

ii.    The sale of the Uddingston property, which had also become surplus to requirements, for £3.1 million on 11 December 2024. The property was last valued by the Group at £2.3 million.

The sale of the three properties (Ipswich, Gildersome and Leeds) to a single buyer constitutes a significant transaction under the Listing Rules. Further details in relation to the significant transaction are contained in the appendix to this announcement.

Commenting, Chris Payne, Chief Executive Officer, said: “These property transactions, on highly attractive terms, have been enabled by the progress we are making in optimising our operations, whilst also unlocking cash from our business, and further strengthening our balance sheet to re-invest in the Headlam proposition as the UK’s leading floorcoverings distributor.”

Furthermore, Headlam has confirmed that Keith Edelman has informed the Board of his intention to step down from his role as Chair of the Company.

Keith will support a managed transition to his successor, Stephen Bird, and will not seek re-election as a Director at the Company’s Annual General Meeting in May 2025.

Keith has been a Director of the Company for six years and the Board is grateful to Keith for his service as both Non-Executive Director and, latterly, as Chair, and wish him well for his future ventures.

The Board is pleased to announce that Stephen Bird will be appointed Chair of the Company and its Nomination Committee with effect from the Company’s AGM in May 2025, and Stephen will stand for re-election at the AGM in May 2025.

Stephen has extensive executive experience developing successful, customer-led growth strategies to help businesses grow and adapt to changing markets. He had been Group Chief Executive of Videndum plc since 2009 and recently stepped down from that role. Previously he was Senior Independent Director of Dialight plc and was Divisional Managing Director of Weir Oil & Gas.  Stephen has also held senior roles at Danaher Corporation, Black & Decker, and Technicolor Group.

Chris Payne, Chief Executive Officer said “On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Keith for the extensive contribution he has made to the Company over the past six years, chairing the Board whilst we have made significant progress against our strategy and overseen our transformation plans.  I’m pleased Stephen has agreed to be our next Chair and look forward to continuing to work with Stephen and the Board as we implement our transformation plan over the next two years”.

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In the High Court of Justice, Business and Property Courts in Manchester

Court Number: 2024-MAN-001668

EVANS TEXTILE (SALES) LIMITED

(Company Number 06186585)

Nature of Business: Manufacture of soft furnishings

Registered office: Helmet Street, Off Fairfield Street, Manchester, M1 2NT to be changed to C/O BDO LLP, 5 Temple Square, Temple Street, Liverpool, L2 5RH

Joint Administrator: Kerry Bailey (IP number 8780) of BDO LLP, Eden Building, Irwell Street, Salford, M3 5EN.

Joint Administrator: Mark Thornton (IP number 25650) of BDO LLP, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 4DL.

Date of Appointment: 24 December 2024

For further details contact Abby Lalor on +44 (0)151 237 2526 or at BRCMTNorthandScotland@bdo.co.uk

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Name of Company: STRETCH FABRIC LININGS LIMITED

Company Number: 09997816

Nature of Business: Retail of furniture, lighting, and similar (not musical instruments or scores) in specialised store

Registered office: 10 Manor Park, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 3TB

Type of Liquidation: Members

Date of Appointment: 23 December 2024

Thomas Edward Guthrie (IP No. 15012) and John William Rimmer (IP No. 13836) both of BRI Business Recovery and Insolvency, 2nd Floor, Elm House, Woodlands Business Park, Linford Wood West, Milton Keynes, MK14 6FG

By whom Appointed: Members

Ag XJ92595

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Name of Company: COUNTRY TRADITION (NOTTM) LTD

Company Number: 05425325

Nature of Business: Furniture Manufacturers

Registered office: 6 Clinton Avenue, Nottingham, NG5 1AW

Type of Liquidation: Creditors

Date of Appointment: 19 December 2024

Liquidator’s name and address: Joseph Gordon Maurice Sadler (IP No. 9048) and Andrew J Cordon (IP No. 9687) both of CFS Restructuring LLP, 22 Regent Street, Nottingham, NG1 5BQ

By whom Appointed: Creditors

Ag XJ92276

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Name of Company: WILLOWOOD LTD

Company Number: 09536509

Nature of Business: Manufacture of kitchen furniture / Manufacture of other furniture.

Registered office: Shernden Cottage Shernden Lane, Marsh Green, Edenbridge, TN8 5PS

Type of Liquidation: Creditors

Date of Appointment: 10 December 2024

Liquidator’s name and address: Joanne Kim Rolls (IP No. 8867) and Trevor John Binyon (IP No. 9285) both of Opus Restructuring LLP, 322 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7PB

By whom Appointed: Creditors

Ag XJ92392

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Name of Company: FURVELL LIMITED

Company Number: 15242233

Nature of Business: Retail of furniture, lighting, and similar

Registered office: Office One, 1 Coldbath Square, London, EC1R 5H

Type of Liquidation: Creditors

Date of Appointment: 19 December 2024

Liquidator’s name and address: Keeley Lord (IP No. 29350) and Christopher James Lawton (IP No. 23818) both of Begbies Traynor (Central) LLP, 2-3 Winckley Court, Chapel Street, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 8BU

By whom Appointed: Members and Creditors

Ag XJ92414

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Name of Company: IMPACT KITCHENS LTD

Company Number: 10444062

Trading Name: Impact Kitchens Ltd

Nature of Business: Retail of furniture lighting and similar (not musical instruments or, cores) in specialised store

Type of Liquidation: Creditors Voluntary Liquidation

Registered office: 37 Westcliffe Drive, Blackpool, FY3 7BH

Principal trading address: Ground Floor, 37 Westcliffe Drive, Layton, Blackpool, FY3 7BH

Liquidator’s name and address: Rosalind Mary Hilton of Adcroft Hilton Limited, 269 Church Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 3PB. Telephone number: 01253 299399. Email Address: recover@adcrofthilton.co.uk

Office Holder Number: 8604.

Date of Appointment: 17 December 2024

By whom Appointed: Members and Creditors

Person to contact at Adcroft Hilton: Erin Croft

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Name of Company: CUSTOMISE KITCHENS LIMITED

Company Number: 08897216

Company Type: Registered Company

Nature of the business: Retail of furniture, lighting, and similar (not musical instruments or scor

Type of Liquidation: Creditors’ Voluntary

Registered office: 351 Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield S40 2BZ

Principal trading address: 351 Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield S40 2BZ

Office Holder/s: Richard Hunt, of SFP Restructuring Limited and, 9, Ensign House, London, . E14 9XQ ., Telephone: 020 7538 2222, Email address: Richardh@sfpgroup.com

Office Holder Number/s: 21772

Date of appointment: 16 December 2024

By whom Appointed: Members and Creditors

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Name of Company: SADLERS FARM OFFICE FURNITURE LIMITED

Company Number: 05585778

Nature of Business: Wholesale of office furniture

Previous Name of Company: SADDLERS FARM OFFICE FURNITURE LIMITED

Registered office: 67 Grosvenor Street, Mayfair, London, W1K 3JN

Type of Liquidation: Creditors

Date of Appointment: 18 December 2024

Liquidator’s name and address: Abigail Shearing (IP No. 10290) of Voscap Limited, 67 Grosvenor Street, Mayfair, London, W1K 3JN

By whom Appointed: Members and Creditors

Ag XJ92119

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Company Number: 04655747

Name of Company: C & S INTERIORS LTD

Nature of Business: Manufacture of office and shop furniture. Manufacture of kitchen furniture. Manufacture of other furniture

Registered office: 39 Rainville Road, London, W6 9HA

Principal trading address: 39 Rainville Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 9HA

Type of Liquidation: Creditors Voluntary Liquidation

Liquidator’s name and address: Liquidator: Jonathan Sinclair (IP number 9067) of Sinclair Harris, 46 Vivian Avenue, Hendon Central, London, NW4 3XP.

Date of Appointment: 19 December 2024

By whom Appointed: Members & Creditors

For further details contact Daniel Kelly on 020 8203 3344

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