Oprah kitchen firm ‘close to collapse’

THE owner of luxury kitchen company Smallbone Of Devizes is reportedly on the brink of collapse, putting hundreds of jobs at risk.

Canburg, which also owns high-end furniture brands Mark Wilkinson and Brookmans, is preparing to appoint administrators amid weak sales. The firm is the latest in its sector to be hit by trouble after sofa maker Multiyork and bed seller Warren Evans went bust this year.

Canburg has been struggling for some time and was searching for buyers, according to reports. The Wiltshire firm employed 275 staff two years ago, accounts revealed.

Smallbone’s customers have included actors Dustin Hoffman and Liz Hurley, as well as talkshow host Oprah Winfrey.

Founded by Charlie Smallbone and Graham Clark, it started out renovating antique furniture and progressed to bespoke kitchens. It opened its first London showroom in 1981.