Carpetright to close stores across West Midlands

Carpetright has announced it will close 92 of its 409 stores, including ones across the West Midlands.

Affected stores include ones in Birmingham Stechford, Dudley, Kidderminster, Lichfield, Stafford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Telford and Walsall.

Another 113 other stores will aim to have their rents cut if a deal under company voluntary arrangement (CVA) proposals is agreed.

The carpet, flooring and beds retailer has said it hopes to relocate staff in affected stores where possible, but the move will result in around 300 job losses across the UK.

Wilf Walsh, chief executive of Carpetright, said: “These tough but necessary actions will enable us to address the burden of a legacy UK property estate consisting of too many poorly located stores on unsustainable rents, and are essential if we are to restore our profitability and deliver a successful turnaround.

“We will remain in close contact with all colleagues to keep them fully informed as we move through this process.”