Urgent Industry Inside Newsflash: Ashley Manor and Alexander & James Enter Administration
Two well known names in the UK sofa and upholstery industry, Ashley Manor and Alexander & James, have officially gone into administration after attempts to find a buyer failed. Both brands are part of the wider TCM Living Group, and the collapse is being described as a significant blow to the British designer sofas sector.
Ashley Manor, based in Dudley, employed more than 100 people and was a long established UK manufacturer. Alexander & James, known for its distinctive British designed import ranges, was part of the same corporate umbrella. A notice of intention to appoint administrators was filed at the end of August 2025 and the businesses were actively marketed for sale, but potential buyers withdrew due to economic uncertainty and industry challenges. On 15 September 2025 both businesses ceased trading and Opus Restructuring & Insolvency was appointed administrator.
Industry reports link the closures to rising raw material, energy and labour costs, supply chain volatility, and softening consumer demand for big ticket items such as designer sofas. The case highlights the fragility of UK manufacturing in the current climate and the growing risks for investors and retailers alike.
The implications are serious. Retailers stocking these brands may now face supply disruptions and warranty concerns. Consumers with outstanding orders will be watching developments closely. For employees, the immediate concern is job losses, while the industry at large faces reduced domestic production capacity at a time when UK made sofas are under pressure from imports.
For the wider designer sofa market, this is another warning sign that margins are under strain. Businesses must build more resilient supply chains, and policy makers may need to revisit business rates and support for UK upholstery to help safeguard remaining manufacturers.
Sofamax will continue to monitor this urgent situation and provide the latest sofa news and insights for our customers and partners.
