Retailer, dining chain latest to collapse

More than 2,400 jobs are at risk after controversial rent-to-own retailer BrightHouse sank into administration yesterday, just days after it closed all its stores due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The company, which operates around 240 stores, appointed Grant Thornton to keep running the business, and collecting money from customers.

The business will still look after customers’ appliances until their contracts run out.

Experts said that customers who are claiming compensation might have to wait for longer than usual.

“Coronavirus was the final nail in the coffin”

Julie Palmer, a partner at restructuring experts Bebgies Traynor, said: “Coronavirus was the final nail in the coffin for BrightHouse.”

Meanwhile, Carluccio’s has collapsed into administration, casting a shadow over the future of its 71 UK restaurants and 2,000 employees.

The dining chain, which was founded by Antonio Carluccio in 1991, confirmed it has hired advisory firm FRP to oversee its administration.

It said its directors made the decision “after a sustained period of challenging trading conditions, which have been exacerbated by Covid-19 and the broader issues currently facing the UK’s retail and hospitality sector”.

Carluccio’s faced “significant cashflow pressures” on the back of the pandemic and was therefore unable to meet its financial obligations.