Dwell founder attacks former management

The founder of Dwell has attacked the failed furniture retailer’s previous management for leaving customers in a “terrible situation”.

But Aamir Ahmad, who bought back Dwell from its administrator last month, could not confirm when customers, owed about £1m in outstanding orders, would receive their products, if at all for some.

The upmarket furniture chain collapsed into administration in June, but Mr Ahmad rescued six of its 23 stores and its website from administrator, Duff & Phelps.

Mr Ahmad, who left Dwell in November, said: “What we don’t want to do is promise something we cannot deliver... [We are] offering alternative products to make up for the terrible situation the customers have been left in by the previous management.”

He said the new firm is providing customers “let down by the old company” with a raft of options.

Dwell is offering customers alternative products for “immediate delivery” if the item ordered is not in stock. If an alternative cannot be found, the company is now offering customers – who paid by cash or debit card and have a receipt – a gift voucher equal to the value of their order. Where an alternative product cannot be found for shoppers who paid by credit card, the retailer is advising them to get a refund via their credit card company.