Paul Simon to close all remaining stores, 209 jobs to be lost

16th May 2014

Editorial Assistant

News

Home furnishings retailer Paul Simon is to close all 22 remaining stores, with 209 jobs to be lost.

The phased closure will take place over the next three weeks into mid-June. Paul Simon, which sold curtains, binds, carpets, sofas and beds, had been trading for over 23 years.

Severe flooding in February hit the retailer and it collapsed into administration on Wednesday.

Deloitte partner and lead administrator, Lee Manning said: “The sector in which Paul Simon operates remains a challenging market. Loss-making stores with excessive rents, a complicated delivery model for relatively modest transaction sizes and financing problems combined to reduce the ongoing viability of the enterprise.

“This ultimately led to the appointment of administrators and restricted the level of interest from potential purchasers,” he concluded.

22 stores due to be closed are: Aylesbury

Aylesford

Basildon

Byfleet

Catford

Chadwell Heath

Colchester

Crawley

Croydon

Fareham

Farnborough