A North East home improvement store has today (October 23) announced it will be appointing a liquidator after ceasing trade with immediate effect.

Chiltern Mills in Redcar said the move has resulted from the pandemic and larger competitors being able to trade in this period.

They added restrictions placed on the company by the various lockdowns and their designation as a "non-essential" business resulted in it "no longer being financially viable."

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Directors of Treymaine Limited, which operates Chiltern Mills, have instructed insolvency firm Gains Robson to place the company into Creditor's Voluntary Liquidation.

A spokesperson for the business said: "It is with much regret that the Directors of Treymaine Limited t/as Chiltern Mills (the Company) have to announce that the company has ceased to trade with immediate effect.

"Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the national lockdowns, which covered the period March 2020 until June 2022, the Company was unable to open its stores as it was classfied as a 'non-essential' business and had to follow all the restrictions imposed by the Government.

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"During this period, some of the Company's larger competitors could still trade, for example, B&M, Home Bargains and The Range remained open due to their overall businesses being classed as 'essential'.

"After many years of trading across the north of England, these lockdowns and restrictions hindered the Company's progress and resulted in the Company no longer being financially viable."

 Chiltern Mills has been contacted for more information on the announcement.