Kitchen firm Moben in cash crisis

Nearly 3,000 jobs were today at risk, including 350 at a Midland factory, after the company that owns Moben kitchens, Dolphin bathrooms and Sharps bedrooms filed for administration.

The move has left thousands wondering what will happen to their orders and whether they will get their money back.

Today it appeared all Moben and Dolphin sales have ceased, although staff at stores across the region were continuing to take orders for Sharps.

Television adverts were still running last night for Moben and internet sister firm Kitchens Direct. The shops' parent company HomeForm has 160 showrooms across the UK, including a store in Princes Street, Stafford, which was closed today.

A store at Brierley Hill's Merry Hill was open but only selling Sharps bedrooms. Sharps concession in the Dreams bed store on Wyrley Brook Retail Park in Cannock and a joint concession in the Homebase store on Wolverhampton's St John's retail park were open.

Around 350 staff work at the Sharps Bedrooms factory on Bilston's Springvale Estate in Wolverhampton.

Parent company HomeForm's internet site has been shut down today.

The company said it had filed a notice to appoint an administrator but this could take up to 10 working days.

Company spokesman Alistair Mackinnon-Musson said: "At present, the HomeForm Group remains under the control of its directors, who are close to securing a deal that will safeguard the future of the Sharps and Kitchen Direct businesses."

The group, based in Cornbrook, Manchester, has around 1,300 employees as well as 1,500 self-employed fitters and designers.