A FURNITURE firm has ceased trading and failed to pay its staff less than two months after promising a 'brighter future'.

Wesley Barrell, based in Ducklington, near Witney, closed its doors on Thursday, just seven weeks after entering administration.

The 124-year-old company employed several Oxfordshire residents at its head office in Ducklington and its Witney showroom, which was one of 10 across the country.

A statement from the Witney showroom read: "This company closed its doors and show rooms on Thursday 28th March with the loss of 60 jobs and no wages paid."

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It is believed the announcement came as a surprise to staff, who were not paid as expected on Friday.

They were sent home at 11am on Thursday and one ex-employee, who recently left Wesley Barrell, revealed workers had been left in the dark about the company's next steps.

They said: "Nobody's gone back to the office and they've all been told they don't have a job. They knew there were problems but didn't see it coming.

"Some people handed in their notice when they first went into administration."

The business appointed administrators in February, following unconfirmed claims of redundancies and employees going unpaid.

Wesley Barrell (Witney) Limited and its assets were sold to Wesley Barrell Interiors Limited, which the company said would save 60 jobs with the loss of just one of its 11 showrooms.

Read again: Wesley Barrell enters administration

A company statement at the time said: “We would like to thank all employees past and present for their dedication, hard work and commitment to the business as we look forward to a brighter future for all.”

Fifteen of Wesley Barrell (Witney) Limited’s 16 officers listed on Companies House have resigned over the years, with director, Ayiaz Ahmed, the only one still active.

Mr Ahmed is listed as the one person with significant control of Wesley Barrell Interiors Limited.

For much of its history, the company founded by Anthony Barrell in 1895 had a proud reputation in West Oxfordshire for its quality, 'classically-designed' furniture.

It was family run for years, but the last Barrell involved was commercial director Eugenie Barrell, who resigned in September 2015, according to Companies House.

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The ex-employee said they sympathised with the family and revealed they were concerned about staffs ' futures.

They said: "It's so sad as some of the guys in the factory had been there more than 40 years.

"They're skilled furniture makers who have now got to start again.

"It must be such a shame for the family."

A sign on the Witney showroom said the store was 'closed until further notice'.

The company's head office and several showrooms were contacted but they all failed to respond.