Pumpkin Patch in administration
20 January 2012 10:14
Children's clothing chain Pumpkin Patch today became the latest retailer to go into administration, putting 400 jobs at risk.
It is understood that 60 members of staff have already been made redundant and five of Pumpkin Patch's 36 UK stores have been closed, but administrator Deloitte said it intended to continue trading until "strategic options" have been explored.
Despite the closure of stores in Cambridge, Cheshire Oaks, Leeds, Swindon and Uxbridge, the administrators pointed out that Pumpkin Patch's overseas and online operations would not be affected.
Deloitte administrator Daniel Butters said Pumpkin Patch bore the brunt of the unprecedented and prolonged downturn being experienced in UK retail.
"We will continue to trade the business while we explore all strategic options. We encourage all parties to remain supportive while we continue to trade the business, thus providing the best possible platform for us to preserve jobs and value for all creditors."
Pumpkin Patch's first UK shop opened in in Bromley, south-east London, in 2000 and since then the business expanded to 36 sites in cities such as Bristol, Nottingham, Belfast and Cardiff.
The business was first set up in 1990 in Auckland, New Zealand, and has 200 stores employing 3,000 people in four different countries.
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