Sofa manufacturer goes into liquidation

Insolvency specialist UHY Hacker Young has been appointed as liquidator of furniture firm Old Boot Sofas, which operated a manufacturing and storage facility in Bolton.

Old Boot Sofas was an online business selling quality leather seating.

It started trading in March 2013, and quickly built a strong reputation of providing a quality product with a quick lead time.

However, in 2016/17 the business lost money, causing an issue with the merchant service provider, or the ‘gatekeepers’ between customers’ credit and debit cards and the company’s cash register.

The issue could not be resolved and an alternative provider could not be found, leading the business to cease trading on May 29, this year, leaving numerous customers without goods that that had paid for.

Those that paid by credit card have been able to reclaim their money back from their card providers.

Those that paid by debit card have been able to reclaim their money back via the clawback scheme.

Where furniture has been made to a specific order, customers have been given the option to collect the item.

The business had two showrooms, one in central London and one in Leicester, as well as a distribution hub in Leicester, with the manufacturing and storage of goods taking place in Bolton.

Nick Hancock, insolvency partner at UHY Hacker Young, which has a Manchester office, was appointed liquidator of Old Boot Ltd, trading as Old Boot Sofas, yesterday.

He said: “Old Boot was born from a passion for furniture and a commitment to deliver excellence at a sensible price.

“After enjoying an extremely successful first three years of trading the firm unfortunately incurred issues with their merchant service provider that has severely restricted their options, giving them no choice but close the company with immediate effect.”