A major British high street retailer has ceased operations, marking the end of more than 50 years of trading and raising further concerns about the long-term health of town centres.
The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) closed its remaining stores on April 4, following the company entering administration earlier this year.
The business operated 137 stores and employed approximately 1,180 staff at its shop locations and headquarters in Bolton. It shut down after administrators from Interpath Advisory completed a controlled wind-down of the chain, resulting in most employees being made redundant.
Interpath indicated that stores were closed in stages, with “everything must go” clearance sales held in the final weeks of trading as stock was liquidated.
A spokesperson said: “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 4 April 2026.”
A small number of staff members were temporarily retained to assist with the formal closure process and administrative winding down. Additionally, support services were established to help former employees access redundancy payments.
The collapse followed a turbulent period for TOFS, which was acquired by private equity firm Modella Capital in February 2025 when it operated around 180 stores. However, the number of stores was reduced when the business entered a company voluntary arrangement just months later.
Modella Capital attributed the failure to weak consumer confidence and what it called “adverse government fiscal policies,” emphasising the difficulties faced by lower-cost discretionary retailers amid subdued spending.
Founded in 1969, TOFS had been a well-known presence on British high streets for more than half a century, often serving smaller towns with discounted household goods and clothing.
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