UK clothing chain shuts all shops after administration

The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) had 137 stores before entering administration earlier this year.

Since then, it began shutting locations across the country in recent weeks, with sales launched at every outlet.

Now, the last TOFS locations have officially shut, with the retailer’s head offices also ceasing operations.

UK clothing chain shuts all shops after entering administration

The Factory Shop Limited, which traded as The Original Factory Shop, was established in 1969.

The discount retailer sold products including clothing and homeware.

TOFS closed 32 stores back in 2018 due to falling profits and the withdrawal of its credit insurance, but post-COVID, in the financial year 2021/22, the group’s profits soared.

In 2025, Modella Capital bought the chain from Duke Street Capital and several sites shut when TOFS entered a company voluntary arrangement in April 2025.

It was in January of this year that the company entered administration.

The online shop closed down immediately, with the remaining 137 stores beginning to shut in the weeks that followed.

TOFS employed 1,180 people across 137 stores and its head offices at the time of closure.

The Original Factory Shop has now shut all of its UK stores (Image: Ben Birchall/PA)

Now, Interpath, which was appointed in the administration process, has revealed that the last TOFS locations have, as of this month, now closed.

“A phased closure of the store portfolio was implemented considering the financial position,” a spokesperson told The Grocer.

“Without any viable offers to take the business forward, it was not possible for The Original Factory Shop to continue trading and all remaining stores were closed on April 4, 2026.”

They said that the “majority of employees have been made redundant”, however, a “small number of staff” have been retained to assist the joint administrators in formally winding up the business.

“A specialist team is in place to support impacted staff with making Redundancy Payments Service claims,” the spokesperson added.

Businesses that have entered administration in 2026

TOFS is not the only business hit financially this year, with 2026 already seeing several retailers and businesses entering administration and others announcing widespread store closures.

Russell & Bromley, Moores, Claire’s, Quiz, Denby and National Car Parks (NCP) are just some of the major businesses that have fallen into administration recently.

Lifestyle brand, Gandys, which has been worn by Prince William and Sir Richard Branson, has been forced to enter administration due to a sudden withdrawal of funding.

Following its administration, the business has cut prices by up to 75% online and in stores.

LK Bennett, founded back in the 90s, entered administration in January and has now shut down its website.

Online sales via the LK Bennett website have continued since the administration announcement earlier this year until recently.

The website has now been shut down with a message reading: “Website and phone order now closed – Shop in store for a limited time.”

Other major high street retailers, including River Island, Primark, and Poundland, have been forced to close stores, while Revolution and BrewDog have shut the doors to 21 and 38 pubs, respectively.

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It is not all bad news, however, with UK beauty firm Beauty Bay filing for administration in March 2026 before being saved.

A French-owned company called AA Investments Group bought it for an undisclosed amount, saving stores and people’s jobs.

Did you shop in The Original Factory Shop before it closed? Let us know in the comments below.