Business & Technology
Jobs at risk as UK kitchen giant shuts 15 ‘under-performing’ stores
Magnet Kitchens, which operates more than 150 branches nationwide under its retail and trade brands, has announced a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) that will see 15 “under-performing” sites shut in a bid to cut property costs and shore up its finances.
The retailer, described as the UK’s longest-running kitchen chain and one of the largest in the sector, said the closures were “a difficult decision and not one we have taken lightly, particularly where colleagues may be impacted”.
Bosses have not given a specific figure for potential redundancies, but have admitted roles at the affected stores are at risk, adding that staff “will be supported throughout and suitable alternative roles within the business will be offered wherever possible”.
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Under the CVA, an insolvency process that allows a company to agree reduced repayments to unsecured creditors while continuing to trade, Magnet will remain in business, with the majority of its 159 outlets expected to keep operating as normal.
Customers whose local branches are due to close have been told their orders will be transferred to the nearest alternative showroom, with the restructuring proposals still needing formal approval from creditors before they take full effect.
A full list of the 15 closing stores has been published, covering locations from Andover in Hampshire and Brighton in East Sussex to Stirling in Scotland and York Trade in North Yorkshire, as well as sites in Wales and Greater London.
None of the Oxfordshire outlets appear on that list, with Magnet’s website showing the retail kitchen showroom on Banbury Road in north Oxford, trading as Magnet Oxford.
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There is also a separate trade depot on Tramway Industrial Estate in Banbury, serving builders and fitters.
Both locations remain listed as open and are not among the 15 branches earmarked for closure, meaning customers in Oxford and Banbury can still visit their local Magnet facilities even as other parts of the network face the axe.
The Banbury site is a Magnet Trade depot, acting as a counter and warehouse for registered trade customers, while the Oxford branch is a full kitchen showroom aimed at retail buyers, reflecting the company’s dual retail–trade structure.
Magnet said the CVA and store closures were necessary to tackle “property costs that are no longer sustainable” and position the business for the long term, after wider pressures on the kitchens and home improvement market.
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The group’s Swedish owner, Nobia, has previously announced UK restructurings and job cuts, underlining the challenges facing the wider company as it looks to reduce overheads and return to stronger profitability.
For customers, the chain has stressed that “the vast majority” of showrooms will continue to trade.
Existing orders at closing stores will be honoured via transfers to nearby branches, although people are being advised to check directly with their local Magnet if they have concerns.
The Oxford Mail has approached Magnet for comment on the impact on the Oxfordshire locations.
Britwell Salome Farm Shop, on Red Lion Farm in Watlington, was given a one star rating by South Oxfordshire District Council environmental health officers following a routine visit.
One key problem on the day was the management of food safety, which was deemed to require “major improvement”.
One category noted as being “generally satisfactory”, however, was the cleanliness and condition of both the facilities and building.
Meanwhile hygienic food handling was deemed as “improvement necessary”.
The farm shop was previously handed a five out of five rating in July 2024.
Last month Britwell Salome Farm Shop was named ‘local food and drink champions’ for the south east in the Countryside Alliance Awards 2026.
Ms Mearns said her family, including herself, her husband and their three children, set up at Red Lion Farm in 1993 and took over the chilled unit in the barn when it became vacant in 2008, to begin selling the farm’s meat, including pork, beef and lamb, directly to customers, from field to fork.
The shop also stocks a large selection of other locally produced food, from seasonal fruit and veg from a farm in Stanton St John to local honey from the village, jams and preserves which raise money for Oxford homeless charity Porch, as well as bread baked fresh in Thame.
Britwell Salome Farm Shop was approached for a comment.
The Henley Distillery was slapped with a two-out-of-five food hygiene rating after an inspection by environmental health inspectors in January this year.
Although inspectors deemed the hygienic food handling and management of food safety ‘generally satisfactory’, they deemed the cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building needing necessary improvement.
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This includes having appropriate layout, ventilation, hand washing facilities and pest control to enable good food hygiene.
The company is no stranger to poor food hygiene ratings, given a one-out-of-five food hygiene rating in 2024, and another one in 2025.
Speaking to the Oxford Mail in 2024 the founder and master distiller Jacob Wilson said the low score was unfair and he was shocked by the rating.
He said: ““Unfortunately due to the diverse nature of businesses in South Oxfordshire, they do not have specialists in each field to run their audits which meant our auditor had never even set foot in a distillery before visiting us.”
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The Henley Distillery at Hampstead Farm was opened in 2021 and produces gin and rum in the historic barn in the countryside.
Henley Festival, which is also sponsored by champagne brand Moet and Chandon, is currently taking place, kicking off on Wednesday, July 8 and finishing on Sunday, July 12.
Recognised with awards such as the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group’s SME Business of the Year, the business is a popular tourist attraction with distillery experiences available.
The Henley Distillery has been approached for comment.
Mike Foster, who was born and raised in Kidlington, has written The Financial Times Guide to Starting a Business, which combines practical business guidance with insights into the entrepreneurial mindset.
Now based in Didcot, Mr Foster coaches business owners by reviewing critical aspects of their operations, identifying areas of focus, and developing tailored strategies.
Mr Foster said: “Many start-up guides focus solely on the mechanics of launching a business.
“But I wanted to be brutally honest about the realities and challenges entrepreneurs will face, sharing from my own journey which has included both big successes and a six-figure setback.”
The book is his second publication, following 2023’s 105 Ways to Accelerate Your Business Success.
He also contributes to the community through his work in schools, having served as an enterprise advisor for Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP).
In that role, he supported Didcot Girls School and helped the organisation recruit 40 equivalents in secondary schools across the county.
The new book covers everything from idea development and marketing to finance, legal structures, and operations.
It aims to help readers assess whether they are mentally prepared for entrepreneurship.
Written as a step-by-step guide, the book offers practical, actionable advice and encourages readers to consider the mindset needed to build confidence and avoid common start-up pitfalls.
The Financial Times Guide to Starting a Business is available now in paperback and e-book formats from Amazon, Waterstones, and other major retailers.
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