Jobs losses at NI retailer, Fultons Fine Furnishings

Sixteen people have been made redundant at the local furniture retailer, Fultons Fine Furnishings, which was placed in administration last month.

The company is based in Lurgan, County Armagh, but also has a 60,000 sq ft showroom on Belfast's Boucher Road.

The shops remain open and the the administrators, PwC, said they will be "offering the business for sale as a going concern".

They confirmed that they have had a number of expressions of interest.

The administrators, Stephen Cave and Paul Rooney from PwC, were appointed on 19 July at the request of the owners.

At the time, a total of 57 people were employed across the firm - which also has other commercial and residential property interests.

In a statement on Friday, Mr Cave said PwC had completed the first stage of a review of Fulton's property and trading operations.

"I can confirm that we are continuing to trade the retail businesses and will do so for the foreseeable future," he said.

"However, in order to ensure business as usual in the specialist furnishing retail operation we have regrettably had to make 16 redundancies from across the business.

"We will continue to take and fulfil new orders and sell merchandise from existing stock for the benefit of creditors," Mr Cave added.