UK Carpet Chain Struggling, Store Closings Likely

Kent, England, July 6, 2009--Hundreds of jobs could be lost at Allied Carpets as early as this week as the carpet chain teeters on the brink of collapse, according to The sun newspaper.

Staff said they had been told the first stores would close in a matter of days.

Allied Carpets - run by restructuring firm HILCO - employs 1,360 staff across 212 stores.

It has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators.

Accountants have been lined up as administrators and will take on the profitable sites.

About 50 unprofitable stores are likely to be dumped.