Jobs risk at sofa firm

Worried staff at the troubled Land of Leather store at the Centre Retail Park, Elk Mill, learned today they may lose their jobs.

More than 650 staff nationally have been told jobs are at risk as administrators struggle to find a buyer for the business, it was confirmed today.

Deloitte said they had notified all remaining staff at the firm of the risk of redundancy and store closures as part of contingency plans.

But administrators said despite their failure to secure a deal so far, they remained hopeful of selling the business.

Land of Leather called in administrators last month after being hit by the slump in demand for “big ticket” furniture items amid the housing market downturn.

Administrators have already closed 33 stores in the UK and Ireland with the loss of 95 jobs, leaving 82 stores and 656 staff, including the Oldham outlet.

Lee Manning, Deloitte partner and joint administrator, said: “While it has not yet been possible to sell Land of Leather, we continue to talk to interested parties and our goal remains to find a buyer for the business as a going concern.

“However, it is prudent to make contingency plans and we have notified all employees of the risk of redundancy and store closures should a buyer for the business not be found.”