operated from five branches across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire; in Headington Princes Risborough and Haddenham. Employing around 60 people timber and landscaping products to trade and retail customers The business' last published accounts for the year ending 31 December 2023 indicated a turnover of just under £15.4 million with an operating loss before tax of just under £700,000 (up from £71,510 in 2022) A fall in turnover of 4.6% compare to 2022 is blamed on "fierce competition from both national and local rivals." The business registered around £5 million in assets The company's website and social media accounts have all been deleted.  The first branch of Blanchford & Co Ltd trading as Blanchford Building Supplies, was opened in 1938 on Queens Street but the business soon moved to Headington in east Oxford where is was headquartered until now.  The Blanchford brothers retired in the 1950s and were replaced by two employees who became Managing Directors Another family was introduced into the company which established continuity in ownership ever since.  A second store opened in the 1960s in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire which hosted a kitchen & bathroom showroom alongside building supplies. In 2012 Oxfordshire - before a final store launched in Bicester have been appointed to wind down the business a spokesperson for the administrators explained that "the business had been experiencing working capital constraints in recent years due in part to rising costs and general price increases.   "While efforts were made to secure a buyer for the business this proved impossible and the directors were left with no alternative but to place the company into administration." Danny Dartnaill said: “It’s always sad to see a long-established business in the local community cease operations.   we have had to make 40 people redundant and we are supporting them to make their claims to the redundancy payments service.   “A further 19 employees will be retained in the short term to assist Administrators with the orderly wind down of the business and the sale of business assets for the benefit of creditors.”  Headlines Features People Video Past issues Supplements Features List Showcase Recruitment Events Awards About us Contact us Advertise with us Terms & conditions Privacy policy