Rick Harrison and Will Wright from Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators to H.P.A.S Limited, trading as Safestyle UK, Style Group Holdings Limited and Style Group UK Limited (together “the Group”) on 30 October 2023.
Headquartered in Bradford, Safestyle UK is one of the UK’s leading retailers and manufacturers of PVCu replacement windows and doors for the homeowner market. The Company has a large manufacturing facility in Wombwell, near Barnsley, and operates from a network of 42 sales branches and installation depots across the UK.
In common with a number of companies across the home improvement sector, Safestyle UK has had to navigate a number of pressures which have impacted trading, including high cost inflation, ongoing economic uncertainty and fragile consumer confidence. In recent months, these pressures have been exacerbated by an unseasonally warm September, which has dampened customer demand.
In response to these challenges, the Group engaged with stakeholders to explore a range of options to help strengthen its balance sheet, including a capital injection or new financing, a potential sale of the shares in the subsidiaries and/or a sale of the business and assets of the subsidiaries. Unfortunately, despite interest being shown by a number of parties, a solvent solution was unable to be found, and the directors took the difficult decision to seek the appointment of administrators.
The Company directly employees circa 750 employees. Regrettably, with trading ceasing upon the appointment of the joint administrators, the majority of staff have been made redundant. Circa 70 members of staff have been retained by the administrators in the short term to assist with an orderly wind-down of the business.
Rick Harrison, managing director at Interpath Advisory, said: “These are really challenging times for companies across the home improvement market. After seeing strong sales during the COVID lockdown periods, many companies are seeing trading being impacted by the cost-of-living crisis and soaring costs.
“Unfortunately for Safestyle, and despite the tireless efforts of the management team over recent months, these challenges have proven too difficult to overcome. This will be particularly devastating for the Company’s employees, as well as the many self-employed contractors who worked on behalf of the Company. Our immediate priority will be to provide support to those impacted by redundancy, including supporting them in making claims to the Redundancy Payments Service where relevant.”
Guidance for Customers
Unfortunately, with Safestyle UK ceasing to trade following the appointment of the administrators, it is with regret that customers are advised that orders will not be fulfilled by the Company in administration.
The administrators continue to explore the possibility of selling certain business and assets to a third party. In the event of a successful sale, customers may be entitled to have their orders completed by the purchaser. In this scenario, the Joint Administrators will seek to update customers via the Company’s website and Interpath’s insolvency portal.
The joint administrators have prepared a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ guide below to address customers’ queries.
What happens if I’ve booked an installation?
Customers who have booked an installation, but have not yet paid a deposit, are advised that the installation will not be performed by the company in administration and the order is cancelled with no payment due. If you have agreed finance on your planned installation, please contact the finance provider to understand how this agreement can be cancelled.
What if my installation is part way through?
Customers who are mid-way through the installation process are advised that, regrettably, the company in administration is unable to complete the installation, and as such, they will need to seek alternative installers. In this circumstance, customers will not be charged by the company in administration for the remaining balance owed.
What if I’ve paid a deposit and not yet had my windows installed?
Customers who have booked an installation and who have paid a deposit are advised that the installation will no longer go ahead by the company in administration. Customers are advised to contact their credit or debit card provider with a view to making a claim for their deposit under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
You can find more information about how to do this here: Problems with goods and services: section 75 and chargeback (financial-ombudsman.org.uk).
If a customer has paid a deposit in cash, unfortunately this will not be repaid to them. A customer should visit the Interpath insolvency portal (see “being alert to scams” section below) and fill out a “proof of debt” form and send this to [email protected]. Note that these claims will be an unsecured claim in the administration, and at this stage we are not able to confirm if there will be a pence in the £ return on any claims submitted (and this will take some time to establish). Reports will be issued to creditors of the company via the Interpath insolvency portal that will provide more detail (the first report being within eight weeks of our appointment).
Who is my finance provider?
Your order details will identify Novuna Personal Finance or Omni Capital Retail Finance as your finance provider. Please contact them on the number provided on your order form or the contact details in your finance agreement.
What if my windows have been fitted and I have a warranty issue (now or in the future)?
Customers who have had windows fitted but are experiencing a warranty issue should contact the warranty insurance provider, Installsure.
Note however that if payment for your installation is set-up via a finance provider, please contact your finance provider in the first instance.
What happens if I’m paying for my windows via monthly payments?
Customers who have had windows fitted and who are paying via a payment plan should continue to make their payments as usual. Those customers who are paying for their windows on finance should continue to continue to do so and if unsure, contact your finance provider.
Being alert to scams
Note that if there is a sale of the company’s business and assets to a third party, the joint administrators will make this clear via the Company’s website and Interpath’s insolvency portal (search “Interpath insolvency portal” in your search engine, and then search “HPAS Limited” in the portal). No one from Interpath Advisory or the Company in administration will contact you to complete the installation of your windows or seek payment for the same. You should only speak to your finance provider about your finance agreement.
Do not give details of any claim or any personal or bank account details to anyone who approaches you alleging that they work for the FCA, Interpath Advisory, the Joint Administrators or the Company, or otherwise.
If you do require assistance or are unsure as to the validity of any correspondence you have received, please contact our customer help email address on [email protected]. Please note in the event we experience a high volume of enquiries; it may not be possible to respond to your query immediately.
