BUSINESS experts today predicted that upmarket furniture maker Smallbone of Devizes faces collapsing into administration.

Sky News announced that parent company Canburg, which also owns the Mark Wilkinson brand, has filed a notice of intention to appoint Grant Thornton, the accountancy firm, as administrator.

The company, based on the Hopton Industrial Estate, Devizes, employs hundreds of people. But a company spokesman today said they could not confirm the total number of people on Canburg's payroll.

If the furniture-maker does collapse, it would be one of the most prominent corporate failures to have been backed by the Business Grant Fund since it was set up.

Sources said that Canburg had been struggling for some time, and had been exploring a potential sale in recent months.

Smallbone of Devizes, which is known for its design-led furniture and cabinetry, was established in the 1970s in Devizes.

The parent company recently parted company with Leo Caplan, its chief executive, and appointed Ian Gray as its executive chairman.