CTD Tiles closes Cambridge store as it falls into administration - but Bar Hill site saved by Topps Tiles deal

The Cambridge store of CTD Tiles, one of the UK’s biggest tile suppliers, is one of 56 to close after the business fell into administration.

CTD ran sites across the UK with trade and retail showrooms and recorded roughly £75million in revenues for the past year.

The company fell into insolvency on Monday after coming under pressure from a downturn in the home improvement sector.

Administrators of the business said 268 workers were made redundant after the collapse. However, 30 of its shops and two distribution sites were bought in a rescue deal by rival Topps Group, including the showroom at Trafalgar Way in Bar Hill.

The administrators at Interpath Advisory said Topps was buying CTD’s brands, intellectual property, stock, the 30 stores and operation of distribution sites in Leeds and Kings Norton, Birmingham, for around £9m. It is understood that 92 workers of CTD’s 425 workers will transfer to Topps Tiles.

Administrators will also keep on a further 65 people to deal with the transition of the administration process.

James Lumb, managing director at Interpath Advisory and joint administrator of CTD Tiles, said tough market conditions proved “insurmountable” for the supplier in recent months “as consumer and trade demand failed to recover in line with expectations”.

He added: “The transaction with Topps Group provides continuity for a considerable number of staff and stores as part of a major tiles group.

“Regrettably, the remaining sites have closed, which has resulted in redundancies.

“We are now focused on supporting those staff and have specialist teams on site.”

Rob Parker, Topps Group chief executive, said: “The CTD brand and assets are an excellent fit with our existing business and the acquisition creates a new and complementary specialist tile business within the Topps Group.”

The Cambridge Central Showroom that has closed is at Units 3&4 in Nuffield Close.