Iconic UK high street brand to return after nearly 20 years with £3m reinvestment

A popular chain is poised to make a return next year after almost two decades of absence. MFI went into administration back in 2008 in the midst of the but is set to reopen in 2026.

It has been promised the brand will undergo a £3 million "reinvention" before its return and will trade as a standalone online homeware business, offering bedroom, living room, dining room, hallway and home accessories. Previously, MFI had been one of the country's largest suppliers of kitchens and bedroom furniture but the brand is now owned by bathroom specialist Victorian Plumbing, who will relaunch the store to target a different product range. Victorian Plumbing told investors the new MFI iteration would be run by a "dedicated and experienced management team, while it was confirmed the new store will take up two warehouses vacated by its parent company in Skelmersdale, Lancashire.

Founder and chief executive Mark Radcliffe said: "I am very excited about the upcoming re-invention of MFI, allowing us to tap in to more of the £20 billion UK homewares market.

"Our dedicated and ambitious team, decades of e-commerce knowledge and best-in-class proprietary software, together with the recognisable MFI brand, will help to deliver our strategic ambition over the medium-term.

"Having invested significantly in preparing the business for future growth last year, I am pleased with the group's strategic progress in the first half.

"We are fully operational in our new purpose built warehouse and have continued to improve our customer proposition, while expanding product range into other rooms within the home and taking significant market share gains in a subdued trading backdrop.

Radcliffe added: "Victorian Plumbing has always taken an opportunistic and entrepreneurial approach; alongside this we have built a business that invests in the future, has solid financial foundations and is committed to delivering long-term value to all shareholders, as epitomised by our enhanced capital allocation policy and increased interim dividend."

MFI had operated mainly from retail parks before it went into administration, ceasing tradition on December 19, 2008, after administrators were unable to find a buyer.

After its closure, MFI was purchased by Victoria Plumb, which relaunched it as an online-only retailer in November 2011, but it ceased trading again in July 2015.

Following a 2015 rebrand, Victoria Plumb became VictoriaPlum.com and it was announced in March 2016 that the MFI brand was to be revived.

After entering administration, VictoriaPlum.com and the MFI brand were acquired by rival Victorian Plumbing in 2024.

MFI was originally founded in 1964 as Mullard Furniture Industries, named after co-founder Donald Searle's wife's maiden name.