THERE is nothing like a comfy sofa to put your feet up on - a sentiment shared by shoppers across the country and why many choose to buy new furniture. A number of Exmouth folk, however, regret making such a decision as they still wait for goods ordered f

THERE is nothing like a comfy sofa to put your feet up on - a sentiment shared by shoppers across the country and why many choose to buy new furniture.

A number of Exmouth folk, however, regret making such a decision as they still wait for goods ordered from Homemaker, on the Liverton Business Park, to be delivered.

The Journal reported last week how Margaret Beadle, of Claremont Grove, protested outside the store, fed up because furniture which she paid for months ago had still not arrived at her home.

It was then revealed, early last week, that Homemaker's parent company, Vergo Retail Limited, fell into administration with seven workers from the Exmouth branch made redundant on Tuesday, May 11.

Mrs Coles, from Lympstone, said furniture which she ordered last February never arrived.

She said one of Homemaker's suppliers whom she spoke with, admitted to having problems with materials causing a delay in the goods being dispatched.

However, she was told that was only temporary and the furniture was ready to leave their firm but it was unable to go anywhere because Vergo was in administration.

Mrs Coles added: "It's a sorry show that Homemaker could not be bothered to write to customers themselves."

Journal reader Kathleen Whitehead said her 90-year-old mother was also in the same situation having ordered and paid for a three piece suite in January.

"She has now been told there is little likelihood of getting her suite and if the company is not bought she will only be paid a dividend," said Kathleen.

"How was it that Homemaker were asking customers to purchase furniture on the Vergo credit card two weeks before they went into administration?

"I feel customers trying to support a local shop have been badly treated."

A spokesperson for MCR, administrators of Vergo, said Homemaker's parent company was in a very poor financial state.

He confirmed that Homemaker was still open and continuing to trade, but nine other retail outlets had closed.

"Following a financial review of the business it was apparent it could not continue to trade in the short term without implementing immediate cost saving measures.

"There is an opportunity for interested parties to come forward and rescue the remaining business as a going concern.