UK furniture company plunges into administration – closed on May 7
The firm said a final goodbye to customers last week after operating for over 50 years.
A UK independent furniture business has collapsed into administration after 57 years. According to a notice in the Gazette, Barretts of Woodbridge was appointed Lee De’ath and Tom Gardiner of BTG Begbies Traynor LLP, as administrators on May 7, 2026. The company located in Woodbridge, Suffolk, closed its store doors last week after a stock-clearance sale, during which shoppers could get 30% off or more on all products, and then, from May 1, slashed 50% off all goods until its final day last Thursday.
The firm announced its closure “with a heavy heart” on May 1. Jill Barrett, the daughter of founders Ann and Jack Barrett, and the store's former owner, issued a personal statement on social media, thanking employees and customers for their support.
She wrote: “Whilst the history and beauty of Woodbridge has remained the same, shopping habits have undoubtedly changed. Out of town retail parks have made shopping easy and attractive, and online shopping continues to dominate the market.
“As a result, Barrett sales have not kept up with rising costs, which have soared in recent years e.g. energy and fuel costs, minimum wage, National Insurance, staff pensions, and business rates. This has led to the unfortunate position we are in now.”
Ms Barrett continued to say that she, alongside family, “have thoroughly enjoyed running Barretts”, and thanked the local community, friends, and colleagues for their “constant support”.
Trading at the store ended on May 7, with doors closed at 4pm, according to its social media page, which hasn’t posted anything since.
Customers flooded the company’s “final goodbye” post on social media, with many “sorry to see it go”.
One person wrote: “Sad day for Woodbridge we miss you”.
Barretts was known as a one-stop shop for all home interior needs, including dining furniture, mattresses, flooring, window treatments and more. With worldwide shipping, the brand became a favourite among many.
The company confirmed that all outstanding orders would be honoured and delivered despite the business closure.
