Channel Islands Ceramics goes into administration

The news was confirmed by administrators Begbies Traynor last night.

The business, which operates on the Forest Road, said it hoped to continue trading. It blamed difficult trading conditions post-Covid for its financial problems.

‘By taking the decision to place CIC Ltd and Channel Islands Ceramics Ltd into administration, Channel Islands Ceramics is looking to secure a sound financial footing for the future and is confident of a positive resolution to the current difficulties,’ Begbies Traynor said.

‘It has always been the utmost priority for Channel Island Ceramics to engage well with its talented staff, invaluable sub-contractors and the wider community.

'It will continue to be a positive influence for all its stakeholders and they remain its primary concern.

‘The business understands that today’s news may cause alarm, but it respectfully requests a short period of patience and trust, as it works hard with the joint administrators to find the right solution that is in the interests of all stakeholders.’

Channel Island Ceramics was formed in 1978 by John Litchfield, who remains CEO.

Initially it was a showroom on Route Militaire and a warehouse in Leale’s Yard.

It expanded from tiles to bathrooms and kitchens in 1982 and the following year moved to Place du Commerce – now the site of B&Q’s garden area.

In 2000 the business moved to a new purpose-built premises on Forest Road.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, it said it had experienced increasingly severe financial pressures as a result of the difficult trading conditions.

The business’s website lists eight members of staff in the designs and sales team and two installation managers. Many of them have been with the company for more than 20 years.

The company thanked those who supported or been involved in the business over the years.