Several UK furniture businesses have either entered administration or shut altogether as businesses across Britain face harsh trading conditions. Firms around the country have described the difficulties they face in the current climate, pointing out things like increased labour costs and the price of materials. These difficulties are certainly present in the furniture industry, with increased costs for materials and transport.

Some companies have entered administration, meaning an outside party has come in to rescue a viable part of the business. Meanwhile, others have entered liquidation, which means the company is winding up and its assets are being sold off to repay debts it couldn't otherwise pay. Hundreds of jobs have been lost as a result of these closures, while some of these businesses have been operational for generations, marking the end of an era.

Here are the UK furniture companies that have entered administration or shut down in the last few months.

Administrators who took over this West Yorkshire furniture group that collapsed earlier this year recently announced that they are auctioning off more than 2,000 items, including equipment and stock. The firm was put under the stewardship of insolvency practitioners from Interpath in January, saying that the decision was made because of "challenging" trading conditions.

Meanwhile, joint administrators Will Wright and James Clark confirmed the sale of the company's customer list and certain other intellectual property assets to Wren Kitchens Ltd. Additionally, 124 of its approximately 450-strong workforce had been made redundant.

"The strong headwinds facing the UK construction industry continue to have an impact on companies up and down the supply chain," said Clark. "Against this backdrop, we are pleased to have been able to secure a transaction which provides an opportunity to minimise disruption for customers and suppliers, and which will enable Moores’ heritage in kitchen manufacturing to continue as part of the Wren family."

Westbridge Furniture Limited, based in Holywell, Flintshire, laid off close to 300 staff after it entered administration in March this year. Administrators Interpath appointed Chris Pole and Will Wright to oversee the process and attempt to find a buyer. Only a small number of employees were retained to temporarily assist with closing down the business.

"The team at Westbridge has shown exceptional professionalism in maintaining production while we explored options," said Pole. "We recognise this has been a challenging period for staff and I’d like to express my sincere thanks for their commitment."

The business specialised in sofas and upholstered furniture. Its pieces were found in a number of well-known British retailers, including M&S and John Lewis.

Southons of Salisbury has been in business since 1907, and has become a well-known business in the Wiltshire city. However, it was recently announced that the family business would be closing after almost 120 years.

The furniture and upholstery firm will permanently shut following the retirement of its managing director, Chris Southon. been run by three consecutive generations of the Southon family, moving premises in 1924 before extending its presence in the late 1960s.

The decision was described by Southon as "very difficult and emotional" by Mr Southon. He told the Salisbury Journal: "With no succession and the increasing commercial pressures under which we are now operating, we have reluctantly concluded that this is the right time to bring down the curtain on our illustrious history."

Scan-Thors (U.K.) Limited, which is based in Silsden, Keighley, formally appointed an administrator back in April after running into financial difficulty. It has been making furniture since 1990.

Zane Collins, of Rushtons Insolvency Limited, is now an administrator of the business, responsible for taking control of the company’s affairs and deciding what happens next. It operated as a furniture wholesaler, supplying upholstered furniture, including sofas and sofa beds, to retailers across the UK.

It acts as a middleman in the supply chain, sourcing products and distributing them to larger retail chains as well as independent furniture shops.

Barretts of Woodbridge in Suffolk announced recently"with a heavy heart" that it will cease trading on 7 May after 57 years. It was opened in 1969 by couple Ann and Jacket Barrett, with ownership eventually passed onto their daughter Jill Barrett.

She said that changing shopping habits and increased costs have led to financial difficulties for the business. She revealed: "Barretts' sales have not kept up with rising costs which have soared in recent years, and this has led to the unfortunate position we are now in.

"We have thoroughly enjoyed running Barretts, and we would like to thank the local community and our friends and colleagues who have been a constant support to us.

"To all those who helped to make Barretts special, we will always remember you. All have been brilliant and you have our deepest gratitude."