A FURNITURE firm has hit financial problems leaving scores of Bolton people in limbo over orders for tables, chairs and three-piece suites. Administrators have been called in to save struggling national company Furniture Workshop, which has a large branch at Middlebrook Retail Park, Horwich. But today people awaiting orders were warned by the firm overseeing the salvage operation that they could face delivery delays or even lose cash deposits on goods including three piece suites and dining room tables.

Mr John Newton, who works for London-based administrators Arthur Andersen, told the BEN: "It's impossible to predict what will happen at this stage. We have been called in to save the company because it has financial problems and we are reviewing the situation."

He explained: "Receiving refunds is a complex process and it will depend how the customer paid and when the purchase was made. People should see the shop manager or get in touch with an area Arthur Andersen representative through the store."

Mr Newton revealed that talks to save the company were taking place with firms interested in buying all or part of the Essex-based business, which has 30 stores nationwide.

But today Bolton people awaiting deliveries from Furniture Workshop's Middlebrook branch reacted furiously to news that their orders could be in jeopardy.

Jewellery shop manager David Thornton, 32, of Sharples, who paid a £650 deposit for a £2,000 suite which was due for delivery a month ago, said he was sick of waiting for his new sofa.

He said: "We've been fobbed off with excuse after excuse and now we don't know what will happen. We're in limbo because we haven't got a suite and Furniture Workshop have got our £650 so we can't afford to go somewhere else to buy another."

A spokesman for Furniture Workshop told the BEN: "All comment must be made through our administrators, but we are endeavouring to do our best to sort everything out for our customers."

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