Latest news with #Skelmersdale
The Sun
6 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Fears grow for girl, 15, still missing 8 days after vanishing ‘with plastic bag' as cops urge ‘dial 999 immediately'
POLICE are urgently searching for a 15-year-old girl who has been missing for eight days after vanishing with just a plastic bag. Bayan was last spotted in the Enstone area of Skelmersdale just after 3pm on May 27. Lancashire Police revealed that several enquiries into the whereabouts of the missing 15-year-old have been carried out, including CCTV checks — but so far without success. Bayan is said to be 5ft 5ins tall of slim build and was last seen wearing black leggings, a large black overcoat and a black head scarf. Cops are urging anyone with information about her whereabouts to contact officers immediately. In a post on Facebook this afternoon (June 4), Skelmersdale Police said: "This is 15-year-old Bayan, she is missing and we are worried about her. "Bayan was last seen in Enstone, Skelmersdale, at 3.05pm on 27th May. "We have carried out numerous enquiries to find her, including CCTV checks, speaking to her associates and other methods we have of trying to locate people, however these have not proved successful so far. "That is why we are now asking for your help. "Bayan is 5ft 5, slim and was last seen wearing black leggings, a large black overcoat and a black head scarf. She was possibly carrying a plastic bag. "Bayan has links to Manchester. If you see her please call 999. "For non-immediate sightings call 101 and quote log 976 of 27th May 2025." 1
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
MFI is back from the dead: Furniture company that collapsed two decades ago will be resurrected after Victorian Plumbing made £3million swoop
A homeware retail giant that looked consigned to the history books looks like making a comeback after a £3million swoop by new investors. Kitchens and furniture firm MFI became a favourite for homemakers across the UK since first opening in the mid-Sixties - only to collapse when recession hit in 2008. Intense competition from DIY rivals such as Ikea was also blamed for MFI's failure, 44 years after starting out as a mail order service in 1964 as Mullard Furniture Industries. Yet now its shops could be returning to high streets and retail parks following new investment from Lancashire-based online eCommerce company Victoria Plumbing. That firm took over MFI in May last year and has now revealed plans for relaunches in the second half of 2026. The brand is touted to newly trade as a standalone online homeware coming, offering accessories for bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms and hallways. Victorian Plumbing insisted in a statement to investors that the new MFI would have in charge a 'dedicated and experienced management team'. It remains unclear whether and which physical stores could open or reopen - but the 'reinvented' MFI is expected to make use of two warehouses previously vacated by Victorian Plumbing in Skelmersdale, Lancashire. During its heyday, MFI had more than 200 stores across Britain, while also carrying out 50million home deliveries per year to 2.5million households. It was suggested that, at the company' peak, a third of Sunday lunches across the country would be cooked in MFI-furnished kitchens. The company had been founded in 1964 by British entrepreneurs Noel Lister and Donald Searle, adapting Mullard from the maiden name of the latter's wife. The pair, who previously traded in war surplus products, launched MFI as a mail order business then three years later opened a first shop in Balham, South London. Their company grew to become the largest furniture retailer in the UK, with a value of £1billion at one point. Despite homeware market dominance for the following decades, the new millennium brought difficulties - intensified by the rise of rivals Argos and B&Q as well as expansion across the UK by Swedish retailers Ikea. The MFI Retail group was bought by Merchant Equity Partners for just £1 in September 2006, and then went into administration in November two years later after failing to secure a three-month rent-free period from property landlords. All remaining 111 shops closed their doors in December that year, with 1,200 jobs lost. But now its new owners are declaring MFI back from the dead, with optimistic promises put to investors yesterday. Victorian Plumbing founder and chief executive Mark Radcliffe said: 'I am very excited about the upcoming reinvention of MFI, allowing us to tap in to more of the £20billion UK homewares market. 'Our dedicated and ambitious team, decades of e-commerce knowledge and best-in-class proprietary software, together with the recognisable MFI brand, will help to deliver our strategic ambition over the medium term. 'Having invested significantly in preparing the business for future growth last year, I am pleased with the group's strategic progress in the first half. 'We are fully operational in our new purpose built warehouse and have continued to improve our customer proposition, while expanding product range into other rooms within the home and taking significant market share gains in a subdued trading backdrop.' Mr Radcliffe set up Victorian Plumbing in 2000, having previously made money selling mobile phone accessories on eBay. His 540-employee firm acquired the MFI brand as part of the purchase last May of competitor Victoria Plum who had previously ran it as an online service between 2011 and 2015. Since 2023, Victoria Plumbing has been the sponsor appearing on the shirts worn by League One football club Bolton Wanderers. The new promises to revitalise MFI come against a backdrop of high street retail mainstays struggling to survive. It was recently revealed how more than 13,000 shops shut their doors for good in 2024 – an increase of 28 per cent on the year before. That was the highest figure since the Centre for Retail Research, which compiled the report, began collecting the data in 2015 - and industry experts forecast 17,350 more stores would close this year. Business leaders have raised alarm about Chancellor Rachel Reeves' hikes in National Insurance contributions and minimum wages which came into force last month.
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
MFI returns: Defunct furniture retailer is relaunched after 2008 collapse
Defunct furniture brand MFI will return to the UK after almost 20 years, as owner Victorian Plumbing sets about a 're-invention' of the brand. MFI, which was once one of the largest suppliers of kitchens and bedroom furniture in the country, collapsed into administration in 2008 alongside rivals like Courts and Land of Leather as the global financial crisis hit household budgets. But the brand domain was quietly obtained by Victorian Plumbing in May last year as part of its acquisition of Victoria Plum. It will trade as a standalone online homewares business, targeting bedroom, living room, dining room, hallway and home accessories, Victorian Plumbing said. The group is targeting a launch date in the second half of next year. London-listed Victorian Plumbing told investors on Wednesday alongside its half-year results that MFI would be run by a 'dedicated and experienced management team', including buyers formerly employed by Mike Ashley's Frasers. MFI will use the existing infrastructure of the wider group, including two warehouses vacated by Victorian Plumbing in Skelmersdale, Lancashire. It marks Victorian Plumbing's entry into the UK homewares sector, which is worth an estimated £20billion. Victorian Plumbing, which said MFI's product range 'fits' with its existing customer base, plans to invest £3million in 'people and property' this year as part of the launch. Founder and chief executive Mark Radcliffe said: 'I am very excited about the upcoming re-invention of MFI, allowing us to tap in to more of the £20billion UK homewares market. 'Our dedicated and ambitious team, decades of e-commerce knowledge and best-in-class proprietary software, together with the recognisable MFI brand, will help to deliver our strategic ambition over the medium-term.' It came as Victorian Plumbing reported 6 per cent year-on-year revenue growth to £152.7million for the six months to 31 March, with adjusted earnings before nasties up 15 per cent to £15.2million. Profits were boosted by a 10 per cent jump in orders and more customers buying Victorian Plumbing's own-brand products. The group expects full-year profits of £31million to £32million, weighed down by £2million as a result of investment in MFI. It said: 'Forecasting MFI at this stage, without any history, is challenging. As an entrepreneurial business we will react and adapt over time.' Radcliffe added: 'Having invested significantly in preparing the business for future growth last year, I am pleased with the group's strategic progress in the first half. 'We are fully operational in our new purpose built warehouse and have continued to improve our customer proposition, while expanding product range into other rooms within the home and taking significant market share gains in a subdued trading backdrop. 'Victorian Plumbing has always taken an opportunistic and entrepreneurial approach; alongside this we have built a business that invests in the future, has solid financial foundations and is committed to delivering long-term value to all shareholders, as epitomised by our enhanced capital allocation policy and increased interim dividend.'
BBC News
08-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Skelmersdale £150m redevelopment masterplan approved
A £150m revamp of a west Lancashire town that will see 400 new homes built has been West Lancashire Borough Council project for sites in Skelmersdale town centre will also include a leisure hub, commercial units and restaurants along a new high was approved after a six-week consultation which led to changes including improved accessibility and transport Lancashire Borough Councillor Melissa Parlour said it was "a realistic and deliverable plan that puts residents' priorities at the centre". She said the project was a response to "what we've heard from the community".Tawd Valley Developments Limited, the council's wholly-owned development company, will lead the redevelopment details about the scheme "will emerge over time", with the project expected to take 10 to 15 years, the council have been made to the plan since it was first unveiled, including the relocation of the concourse bus station to street-level and more investment in Tawd Valley were also raised in the consultation about the affect of the new homes on the capacity of schools, healthcare sites and a result, planners agreed the masterplan will be delivered in phases, with the building of new homes to come alongside efforts to avoid placing undue pressure on local services. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
