The administrators for Rogers Ceramics say they are urgently looking for buyers for parts of the business.
We reported earlier this month that the Sussex-based tile and bathrooms retailer was closed and placed into administration, putting 32 staff at risk of redundancy. Trading conditions had unfortunately been difficult in recent years, with increased competition and the rise of online.
With showrooms in Crawley, Redhill and Haywards Heath, Rogers has been in business for more than 50 years.
Director Peter Rogers said: “This is a family business run by three generations of my family and a number of the staff have been with us for many years. We have looked at restructuring the business to try and match overheads to the current market, but we have just run out of options. With so many loyal staff and customers the decision to close was very difficult indeed, but we just could not see a way forward.”
The company was a long-standing member of The Tile Association.
Ian Kershaw, chairman of the TTA, said: “It is always sad when a fellow business has to take the hard decisions which have faced the management of Rogers Ceramics. This is especially true when it is a well-run business, which has tried hard to diversify and meet the challenge of difficult trading conditions. The TTA Board offers its sympathies.”
David Tann and Matthew Waghorn, partners at the Reading office of chartered accountants Wilkins Kennedy LLP have been appointed as administrators.
David Tann said: “We are looking urgently for possible buyers for parts of the business, but it has been necessary to close the doors of all three showrooms while we work out what may be available and to allow us to deal with claims by suppliers and customers.
“At present it is unlikely that it will be possible to fulfill any orders placed by customers. If customers have already paid by credit card they should contact their card provider about a refund.”
