CUSTOMERS have hit out at a historic furniture firm that ceased trading last month as more comes to light about the company's final days.

Wesley Barrell, based in Ducklington, near Witney, closed its doors on March 28, after entering administration in February.

The business shut its factory and 10 remaining showrooms, with 60 jobs lost across the country and staff going unpaid.

Several people have shared bad experiences of the company on the website Trustpilot, while one customer, who wished to remain anonymous, is owed £1,100 after ordering a reclining chair in December.

Read again: Wesley Barrell ceases trading as staff goes unpaid

She visited the factory last Monday to see a company 'taking away furniture' and claimed two managers offered her the chance to take a different item for free.

She said: "They said they'd take me around the factory and I could pick something to take home.

"I thought that was a bit dodgy, I didn't have any means to take it home with me anyway.

"If they were willing to let me take it then they were probably willing to let others do the same."

The customer placed the order on December 1 and was told she would receive the item in 10 weeks.

Read again: Witney MP still committed to fixing district's potholes

She added: "I'm just reaching retirement and this was my little treat to myself.

"But I know I'll never see the money again."

Wesley Barrell appointed administrators in February, following unconfirmed claims of redundancies and employees going unpaid.

This saw Wesley Barrell (Witney) Limited and its assets sold to Wesley Barrell Interiors Limited.

The new business's director, Ayiaz Ahmed, is the only Wesley Barrell (Witney) Limited officer still listed as active on Companies House.

The companies registrar shows that several firms Mr Ahmed has been involved in have either been liquidated, dissolved or are in administration.

Read again: County council bids £102m funding to improve A40

Wesley Barrell was founded by Anthony Barrell in 1895. For much of its history, it was family-run and had a proud reputation in West Oxfordshire for its quality, 'classically-designed' furniture.

But the negative reviews on Trustpilot go back two years, with one ex-employee previously saying that the company's reputation had gone down 'in the last year'.

One customer of 16 years, John Chard, praised staff at the Witney showroom following his experience on March 28.

He said: "I recently ordered furnishings from Wesley Barrell, paid for in advance, ready for collection.

"Immediately following the announcement on Thursday, a member of showroom staff, although she had early in the morning been dismissed by the company, on her own initiative set about ringing her customers to advise them of the immediate situation."

Wesley Barrell was contacted for comment but failed to respond.