Wren Kitchens has given an update on its UK stores after ceasing operations in the US. The company, Britain’s number one retailer of fitted kitchens, abruptly shut 15 stores in the US last week, with all staff losing their jobs without warning.

It has now been confirmed that the decision to withdraw from the US market was made to “focus investment” on accelerating the firm’s development in the UK, including new showrooms and product categories. Mark Pullan, CEO of Wren Kitchens, said the stores were shut “reluctantly” but he is now intent on growing the business in Britain following a period of encouraging market growth. He also thanked colleagues and customers in the US for their support.

Mr Pullan said: “We reluctantly took the decision to appoint a Trustee who is managing our exit from the US market, in line with US regulations. We regret the impact of this decision on our US colleagues and our customers and thank both of them for their support.

“Our focus is on further growing our UK business where last year we recorded our second most successful year since the business began and hit the £1bn turnover mark with strong profits despite what remains a subdued market.”

He added: “Encouragingly, this market growth has carried through into the first quarter. These results reflect the hard work and dedication of our teams across the business and our sustained re-investment in the business – over £500m over the past 15 years.

“We are beginning to see the early benefits of the investment in our new factory, which is enhancing both capacity and efficiency, while continued investment across our UK operations is helping to improve resilience, support fuel cost stability and reduce our environmental impact.”

The Wren Kitchens boss is now hopeful of opening 15 new showrooms across the UK in the near future. The company is also planning on introducing new product categories.

It comes after the US branch filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation, a legal process in the US that allows businesses to eliminate debts by selling assets to repay creditors, on Friday, April 24. Staff were informed on a Zoom call the day before that all stores and showrooms would be closing with immediate effect.

Wren Kitchens added in a statement: “After careful consideration, we made the difficult decision to withdraw from the US market and focus investment on accelerating our core UK business, which is experiencing double-digit growth.

“The US business, a separate legal entity from the UK, which is unaffected by this decision, was growing from a small base – accounting for around 4% of our Group’s overall turnover. Its future success, however, relied on expanding our US retail estate. Despite our best efforts sadly we could not reach agreeable terms that would enable us to do that.”

Poundland is set to close yet another one of its UK stores. While it shut more than 100 stores across the country as part of a massive shakeup, this closure is happening for a separate reason. The chain closed nearly 150 stores throughout 2025 and the start of 2026 as it aimed to improve its financial standing. It comes after the chain was bought by investment firm Gordon Brothers last summer for just £1.

The discount store chain recently confirmed that its nationwide closures had wrapped up and that its store count had fallen from 800 to 651 as a result. However, the chain confirmed another store is set to close, this time due to the failure to secure an ongoing lease. The Poundland store at Two Saints Retail Park in Ormskirk will close at the end of March, the chain has confirmed. A closing-down sale has since been launched, allowing locals to buy goods at reduced prices.

A spokesperson for the company told the Daily Express: “We recently announced that the Ormskirk store was to close after we were unable to agree terms with the landlord, who, we assume, has other plans for the unit.”

Customers can get up to 40% off some items in the local Poundland store before its closure, Lancashire Post reports.

Poundland was one of many high street names to shut a slew of stores in 2025 and 2026. Most notably, River Island and Claire’s also shut a raft of stores around the country, blaming various factors such as changing customer habits.

The company announced in January that closures resulting from its restructuring will end, and any closures thereafter are “a consequence of standard business-as-usual lease events expected at a retailer with a large store network”.

Poundland managing director Barry Williams said: “While there’s been significant progress as we refocus and re-energise the business with lower prices and a sharper offer, we know we still have much to do.

He added that the chain’s focus on their costs has, “without doubt, given us a platform for future growth, but no sustainable turnaround can be based on cost management alone.

“That’s why our focus in 2026 will be on delivering the kind of ranges and price simplicity our customers want right across the store – in clothing, homewares, as well as our core grocery aisles.”

A massive fast-food chain has closed one of its UK restaurants, prompting locals to share their disappointment. The restaurant was the only one operated by the burger chain in the town, meaning locals will have to say goodbye to this option for the foreseeable future. Burger King, which had been a staple of Market Gates Shopping Centre in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, for years, has closed its doors for the last time.

The closure follows Market Gates being put up for sale towards the end of 2024. The closure had been suspected for a few weeks, as local media reported that staff were told earlier in the month that the last trading day would be February 22. The shopping centre has seen a slew of closures over the last 10 years, including Debenhams in 2019 and Wilko later down the line. 

Burger King first arrived in the UK in 1976 when it opened on Coventry Street in London’s West End. It now has more than 500 restaurants across the country and is found in most major cities in Britain. 

Locals from Great Yarmouth took to social media to share their disappointment over Burger King’s closure. One person wrote on Facebook: “I’ll miss it for sure. Had one of the most surprising views too.”

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Another said: “Oh no, we like going there once a month, good quality burgers.” A third wrote: “Another nail in the coffin for Yarmouth.”

The closest Burger King for Great Yarmouth residents is now Caister, which is around 3.8 miles away. 

Burger King was founded in the US but quickly expanded across the globe, much like its competitor McDonald’s did. According to the latest data available, Burger King has more than 19,000 restaurants worldwide, operating in over 125 countries. 

On a global level, it is the ninth largest fast food chain, falling behind the likes of McDonald’s, Starbucks, KFC and Subway.

A discount furniture retailer, established in 1967, has entered administration, putting nearly 1,200 jobs at risk. The Original Factory Shop, which sells products including clothing and homeware, appointed administrators from Interpath Advisory last month.

The retailer operates 137 shops offering clothing, homewares, beauty products, toys, and seasonal items. While all physical stores will continue trading as a going concern during the assessment of options. The retailer has now shut down its online operations as its future remains up in the air.

Interpath highlighted that high cost inflation, weak consumer confidence, and logistical issues with a third-party warehouse significantly affected sales. 

The Original Factory Shop’s troubles have been driven by challenging trading conditions, linked to high cost inflation, fragile consumer confidence and rising labour costs caused by government policies, according to administrators. 

Problems were then said to have been exacerbated by issues linked to its third-party warehouse and logistics operator, weakening sales further.

Rick Harrison, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, said: “The Original Factory Shop has long-been a cornerstone of local high streets up and down the country.

“Unfortunately, however, trading challenges have impacted the business such that the company had to be placed into administration.

“Over the coming weeks, we will be working closely with TOFS dedicated team of employees as we endeavour to operate all stores as a going concern while we assess options for the business.”

Administrators Interpath said the chain’s 40 stores across the UK and seven concessions in Ireland will continue to trade while they look at options for the firm but its website will shut.

They said 109 redundancies are being made across the firm’s head office in Glasgow and its warehouse and distribution centre in Bellshill, Lanarkshire.

Interpath confirmed that Quiz concessions in New Look and Matalan stores in the UK are not included in the administration and remain unaffected.

Quiz employs 565 workers in total.

A discount furniture retailer, established in 1967, has entered administration, putting nearly 1,200 jobs at risk. The Original Factory Shop, which sells products including clothing and homeware, appointed administrators from Interpath Advisory last month.

The retailer operates 137 shops offering clothing, homewares, beauty products, toys, and seasonal items. While all physical stores will continue trading as a going concern during the assessment of options. The retailer has now shut down its online operations as its future remains up in the air.

Interpath highlighted that high cost inflation, weak consumer confidence, and logistical issues with a third-party warehouse significantly affected sales. 

The Original Factory Shop’s troubles have been driven by challenging trading conditions, linked to high cost inflation, fragile consumer confidence and rising labour costs caused by government policies, according to administrators. 

Problems were then said to have been exacerbated by issues linked to its third-party warehouse and logistics operator, weakening sales further.

Rick Harrison, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, said: “The Original Factory Shop has long-been a cornerstone of local high streets up and down the country.

“Unfortunately, however, trading challenges have impacted the business such that the company had to be placed into administration.

“Over the coming weeks, we will be working closely with TOFS dedicated team of employees as we endeavour to operate all stores as a going concern while we assess options for the business.”

Administrators Interpath said the chain’s 40 stores across the UK and seven concessions in Ireland will continue to trade while they look at options for the firm but its website will shut.

They said 109 redundancies are being made across the firm’s head office in Glasgow and its warehouse and distribution centre in Bellshill, Lanarkshire.

Interpath confirmed that Quiz concessions in New Look and Matalan stores in the UK are not included in the administration and remain unaffected.

Quiz employs 565 workers in total.

A UK care home business has plunged into administration. The company has reportedly ceased trading after administrators were appointed on Friday (January 30).

LNC Property Developments, based in Chesterfield, specialised in the development of new care homes across the UK. The business employed 15 people and provided a number of services, including programme management and sector-specific expertise. The company, which was announced as the front-of-shirt sponsor for Mansfield Town’s third kit for the current 2025/26 season, has now stopped trading.

As reported by The Business Desk, Raj Mittal and Benjamin Jones of FRP Advisory have been appointed as joint administrators of LNC Property Developments.

A statement on its website reads: “Raj Mittal and Benjamin Jones of FRP Advisory Trading Limited were appointed as Joint Administrators of LNC Property Development Limited on January 30, 2026, and the company has ceased trading. The Administrators can be contacted on: cp.birmingham@frpadvisory.com.” 

It follows reports that 19 businesses fell into administration across the UK in January. A number of employees face losing their jobs as businesses continue to grapple with rising costs, inadequate consumer spending and mounting debt pressures.

The businesses include Claire’s, The Original Factory Shop, Versarien plc, P&B Metal Components Ltd, Consumer Energy Solutions (CES), Planova Leeds Ltd, G.Network, TGI Fridays, Thomas Storey Fabrications Group, CW Sellors (Jewellers) Ltd, Cheshire East Scaffolding Ltd and Caldwell Construction. Meanwhile, Logic Investments Ltd, Moores Furniture Group, Russell & Bromley, Slingsby Gin (Spirit of Harrogate Ltd), Malin + Goetz (UK), FK Group (Facade & Construction) and CF Booth also plunged into administration last month.

According to law firm Shakespeare Martineau, a total og 1,631 UK businesses filed for administration in 2025. The data was published on January 9.

FRP have been contacted for comment.

Fashion chain Quiz has confirmed it is entering administration, putting 44 shops across the UK and approximately 1,000 jobs at risk. According to The Telegraph, the retailer has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators.

Quiz’s website lists its 44 branches in various locations throughout the UK, including shops in London, Birmingham and Manchester alongside 41 additional concessions. Just days ago, Quiz had announced it was considering several options to secure its future following “disappointing” Christmas trading.

If this goes ahead, it would represent the third time in six years that Quiz has entered administration. The founding Ramzan family had previously put the business into administration less than twelve months ago, resulting in 23 shop closures, before buying back the remaining assets through a pre-pack arrangement.

Quiz also closed 11 of its branches in 2020, attributing its troubles to coronavirus lockdowns. In recent years, the retailer has been struggling with increased employer National Insurance contributions, alongside rising minimum wage and energy costs.

A company spokesperson said: “Like many other high street retailers, we have faced significant headwinds over the past 12 months, including the impact of fragile consumer confidence and a significant increase in business rates and employer costs. While we continue to explore the options available to us, we have today filed Notices of Intention to Appoint Administrators which will give us the time we need to try and secure a positive outcome.”

A popular family-run attraction near a UK market town has shut after 55 years. Gooderstone Water Gardens, near Swaffham in Norfolk, was founded in 1970, and the current proprietors, Coral and Ernest Hoyos, inherited the site from Mrs Hoyos’ parents in 2003. The attraction, which includes a tearoom, gallery, eight-acre nature trail and a rustic roundhouse, will open its doors for the last time in early April, however, as its owners make plans to retire.

Mrs Hoyos said: “I love the gardens, they have been my life over the past 25 years. Ernest and I are both now in our 80s, and unfortunately, because of our age and my poor health, I have decided I must retire. For the past two years, we have tried to find an organisation to continue the upkeep but with no success.”

She added: “I would like to thank all gardeners, volunteers and visitors who have made it possible to have the gardens open all these years.

“I thank everyone for their kind remarks. It has been good to know that they have given so much pleasure.”

A number of visitors shared their sadness at the news, with many reflecting on happy memories from their trips to the site over its lifespan of more than five decades.

“It is such a unique little gem, so sad to see it close,” one wrote on Facebook. “I am amazed that the National Trust or local council don’t see the potential and are not willing to step in.”

“This is so sad to hear,” another said. “It’s such a tranquil oasis away from modern life where you can reflect and enjoy nature. I really hope someone can come forward to save it.”

“A wonderful, beautiful place,” a third added. “I was there the very first day it originally opened. The owners are amazing, they have struggled in their later years, well past retirement age, to keep it so lovely.

“I hope they have a wonderful retirement. It’s very sad no one or organisation has come forward to carry on running such a beautiful place.”

Poundland has announced that its restructuring programme which saw almost 150 stores close and helped it avoid plunging into administration is complete, but it says there’s still “much to do”. The major shake up was set in motion in June after the struggling high street band was bought by American investment firm Gordon Brothers from previous owners Pepco following a slump in sales.

In a bid to revive the chain’s fortunes, Poundland secured High Court approval last August for the plan which involved cutting its estate down from 800 to 651 stores, and reducing its work force from 14,200 to around 12,000 at the end of 2025, representing approximately 2,200 job losses. In a statement, Poundland has now said the wave of closures has come to an end. The company said: “Any future closures will be a consequence of standard business-as-usual lease events expected at a retailer with a large store network.”

However, Poundland emphasised that the work to turnaround their finances isn’t over. Christmas trading figures showed like-for-like underlying sales dropping 2.9% in the quarter to December 28 after the chain dropped prices.

However, comparable store sales by volume saw a 2% increase. Poundland managing director Barry Williams said: “While there’s been significant progress as we refocus and re-energise the business with lower prices and a sharper offer, we know we still have much to do.

He added that the chain’s focus on their costs has, “without doubt, given us a platform for future growth, but no sustainable turnaround can be based on cost management alone”.

“That’s why our focus in 2026 will be on delivering the kind of ranges and price simplicity our customers want right across the store – in clothing, homewares as well as our core grocery aisles,” he added.

Mr Williams said their customers had told them “loud and clear they want a simpler, more focused Poundland that keeps its promise of amazing value”.

“We have clear indications from the work we’ve already done that we’re on the right track.”

In a statement last year prior to the formal approval of the closures, Mr Williams said: “It’s sincerely regrettable that this plan includes the closure of stores and distribution centres, but it’s necessary if we’re to achieve our goal of securing the future of thousands of jobs and hundreds of stores.