Nearly 30 jobs lost as 6 Carpetright shops close in Tayside, Fife and Stirling

It comes despite a rescue deal by rival retailer Tapi.

By Neil Henderson

July 23 2024, 7:43am

Carpetright at Kingsway West Retail Park in Dundee. Image: DC Thomson

Nearly 30 jobs have been lost after six Carpetright shops closed in Tayside, Fife and Stirling.

The retailer entered insolvency earlier this month after struggling in the face of weaker demand and a major cyber attack in April.

Rival firm Tapi has agreed a deal to buy 54 stores, two warehouses, the brand and its intellectual property in an administration deal.

However, the remaining 213 stores have closed with the loss of more than 1,000 jobs.

Among them are the shops in Dundee, Perth, Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes and Stirling, which have shut down with immediate effect.

A total of 29 workers at these stores are affected.

Tapi Carpets and Floors Limited said it was “desperately sad” not to be able to save all stores from closure.

Tapi ‘desperately sad’ not to save Carpetright shops from closure

In a statement, it said: “Tapi has rescued the Carpetright brand, IP and 54 stores following the administration of Carpetright Ltd.

“This will save the jobs of over 300 people, whilst enabling Tapi to expand into a number of areas we don’t currently serve.

“We are desperately sad not to have been able to save more of the business and customer orders.

“However, as we looked into the details of the situation, we quickly established that saving the entire business was unviable.

“Carpetright has been materially loss-making for a number of years, and it has significant debt held by the owner.”

Carpetright in Kirkcaldy. Image: Google Street View

Zel Hussain, joint administrator at PwC, said: “The sale of some stores and the brand to Tapi has allowed over 300 jobs to be saved, and gives the Carpetright brand the chance to continue and flourish under its new ownership.

“However, it is deeply saddening that for the remainder of the workforce there will be redundancies.

“We are committed to helping those affected and will make sure redundancy claims are processed as quickly as possible.”

The administrators say orders made at closed stores “are unable to be fulfilled” and are recommending that customers contact their card provider in order to potentially secure a refund.