More than 80 jobs at a south Shropshire clothing business are today hanging in the balance after bosses put the company into administration.
Bosses at Nightingales, which has its headquarters in Craven Arms, have blamed poor trading conditions for the crisis and are hoping a buyer can be found to save the business before any of the 81 jobs are axed.
The firm was founded more than 30 years ago, but its future is now in the hands of a team of administrators drafted in last week.
All sectors of the company, which specialises in selling women’s clothing and accessories, are affected, including Nightingales Holdings Ltd, Nightingales Ltd and Nightingales Direct Ltd.
They run a mail order and online shopping channel, two shops and 14 franchise stores. Their cash flow difficulties followed a period of poor trading conditions.
Fraser Gray and Peter Saville, partners at Kroll’s Corporate Advisory & Restructuring Group, have been appointed as joint administrators.
Mr Gray said: “We are currently reviewing options for the businesses while we seek a buyer. We fully appreciate that this is a concerning time for consumers, employees, and suppliers, and we will provide further information as significant developments occur.”
Nightingales’ website www.nightingales.com says: “Politeness, patience and service remain essential virtues. And, to our customers’ never ending delight, these virtues are applied to every order.
“We pride ourselves on the quality and value of our products and focus on the long established belief of having time to take time to serve you well.”
10 Comments
I have just discovered Nightingales and was about to ask for a catalogue. I have seen several outfits on friends and asked where the outfits have been bought - Nightingales, hence the Internet search.
I have been buying from Nightingales for 20 years and, like thousands of women, I’m sure, am distraught that they might go out of business!!! No-one does it better.
I have been a mail order, and personal shopper at Nightingales for many years and have been delighted with their kind and careful service. Their in-store sales at Craven Arms have been a real treat, and I (and my husband!) will miss them
What a blow! Most of my wardrobe consists of Nightingales clothes. What shall I do without them? I hope they recover to continue with their excellent service.
I have a dress I bought 15 years ago, and it is still giving good wear. All their clothes are made well, and every year I buy at least half a dozen things from them. Their only problem is that at busy times, you just can’t get through to them - I feel they may have lost business because of that. I will be very sorry if they go out of business, or have to compromise on their quality and value.
I have had some super clothes from Nightingales which have been of good quality and I am very sorry that they have a problem now. Just lately I have had to send things back because of a bad fit and the cost of postage has made me think twice before ordering again. Several firms have a returns service which is free and I think it is possible that Nightingales has lost business because of this competition. I do hope they pull through.
I have been a shopper at nightingales for many years, something different to high street stores, my friend and I have a shopping day at the craven arms sale days a lovely day out with time to see the clothes from the catalogue and try things on,I hope they can continue with the excellent service.
I didn’t know about the problems until receiving a letter from the administrators. Then I realised I hadn’t had a catalogue for a long time although a regular customer for years. No catalogue, no sales. Still, I’ve signed up online now & hope all is resolved.
I loved nightingales in the early days but in recent years the quality had deteriorated, things did not fit well and the cost of returns was so great that i was just sending the things straight to Oxfam - in the end Nightingales were their own worst enemy.
I’ve only just discovered that Nightingales is having problems as I missed the catalogue popping through my letter box.. I shall really miss, as I call them, ‘The Afternoon Tea’ dresses… always so smart and dressy… Afternoon Tea in Raffles, Singapore,is just one example…