The owner of a Southampton carpet company has apologised to customers who were left hundreds of pounds out of pocket following the firm’s sudden collapse.
Wayne Nelson, who took over Direct Carpets Hampshire in August 2023 after previously working at the Shirley store, said he has been forced to leave the city after a backlash from customers affected by the closure.
Speaking to the Daily Echo, Wayne said: “I’m mortified that people have been hurt. I’ve had to leave Southampton. I’ve lost everything – I haven’t walked away a wealthy man.”
The business, which first opened in Shirley in 1958 after being founded by the father of the previous owner, announced it had gone into liquidation in a letter taped to its door.
Wayne said the collapse followed a prolonged period of financial strain in what he described as a “turbulent” flooring industry, and acknowledged his decisions contributed.
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The 53 year old said: “Looking back, I should have shut at Christmas, but instead I took out a business loan.
“Then I was ill with norovirus, and on top of that, we had a wholesaler who didn’t deliver, and that created a chain reaction.
“I tried to keep the business open because I thought we could trade through it.”
He said he continued trading week by week, ordering stock as required, but things “spiralled” and “got to a point where it wasn’t retrievable”.
Wayne said he has since lost his home, is relying on Universal Credit, and left Southampton after threats and an assault.
“I wanted a better future for my kids,” he said. “I’ve lost my business, my home and much more. I’m truly sorry.”
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