The future of The Original Factory Shop in Calne has been thrown into doubt after the retailer’s owners announced this evening that the chain is being placed into administration.
The discount retailer opened its Calne store in October 2023, taking on the large unit in Phelps Parade previously occupied by M&Co before that company also went into administration.
At the time, its arrival was seen as a boost for the town centre, filling a prominent vacant unit and increasing footfall.
The move raises fresh concerns for Calne, where the town centre is already light on shops and has seen a number of well-known names disappear in recent years.
The Original Factory Shop is owned by Modella Capital, which also owns accessories retailer Claire’s. Modella confirmed this evening that both chains are entering insolvency proceedings across the UK and Ireland in a move designed to give the businesses breathing space while a buyer is sought.
The company said it had made the decision after last-ditch attempts to rescue the businesses failed, adding that neither chain had a realistic prospect of trading profitably without entering administration. Around 2,500 jobs across the UK are understood to be at risk, although no decisions have been announced about individual stores at this stage.
It remains unclear what the announcement will mean for the Calne branch or for staff working there.
Calne News will be seeking clarification on what the announcement means for the Calne store and its staff, and will update readers as soon as more information becomes available.
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