'Bright future' promised as furniture firm is rescued; Desk Centre bought from administrators.

Byline: ALISTAIR HOUGHTON

OFFICE furniture supplier Desk Centre has been sold after going into administration.

The Birkenhead company suffered "severe cashflow pressures" after sales were postponed or cancelled and went into administration last week.

The firm, which also supplies furniture to schools and colleges, has now been bought by textiles specialist Vision Support Services (VSS) in a deal that safeguards 36 jobs.

Desk Centre will continue to operate as a standalone business and VSS says its head office and warehouse will remain in Hickmans Road, Birkenhead "for the foreseeable future".

Tom J ack of Er nst & Young, joint administrator for The Desk Centre Holdings, said: "The business experienced difficult trading conditions in the first half of the year with some sales deferred or cancelled, which resulted in severe cash flow pressures.

"The sale of the business as a going concern ensures it will continue to trade and safeguards jobs."

Desk Centre managing director Colin Clayton said: "On behalf of the management team I would like to thank our employees, customers and suppliers for their hard work and on-going support through these difficult times.

"I firmly believe Desk Centre has a bright future under the ownership of VSS and I'm looking forward to the exciting times ahead".

VSS has offices in the UK, China, Pakistan, Egypt and India and employs around 150 people worldwide. This deal will take its turnover up from pounds 43m to around pounds 50m.

The Desk Centre deal is its third in 18 months. Last August it bought Blackburn textile company Hilden and Liddell out of administration.

The group, which also owns factories in Manchester and Rochdale, supplies textiles to retailers and hotel chains such as Hilton and the Mandarin Oriental group. It also boasts long-term contracts with public sector bodies such as the Ministry of Defence, the National Health Service and several higher education institutions.

VSS Group managing director Laurie Thomas said: "Desk Centre is great addition to the VSS Group, taking us to a whole new level of expertise in supply our existing public sector customers.

"Integrating the existing business with the world-class management systems of the VSS Group will create a force to be reckoned with in the supply of office and education furniture. We're delighted to welcome the staff to the group."