Taylor Wessing has advised administrators Will Wright and Rob Croxen at KPMG on the pre-packed sale of the business and assets of the WorldStores group to Dunelm Group, a UK-based home furnishings retailer.

The sale included the Worldstores operation as well and the Kiddicare and Achica businesses, online retailers specialising in furniture and homeware, products and accessories for young children, and discounted luxury home and lifestyle brands.

The sale has safeguarded a total of 650 jobs across the WorldStores, Kiddicare and Achica businesses and allowed them to continue to trade and satisfy orders through Black Friday, Cyber Monday and up to and beyond Christmas.

Will Wright, partner and joint administrator at KPMG said, “Following an options process, we are delighted to have been able to secure this sale which preserves employment for all staff. We wish the buyer and all involved the best of luck for the future.”

Restructuring & Corporate Recovery partner Neil Smyth said: “It has been a pleasure to work with the administrators and team at KPMG and the companies on this deal which sees all employee jobs safeguarded and the businesses preserved. We wish the Dunelm Group further success in the future.”

The Taylor Wessing team advising the administrators was led by Restructuring & Corporate Recovery partner Neil Smyth with support from Senior Associate Amy Patterson, Associate Richard Colebourn and partners and associates across the firm from the Corporate Technology, IP & Media, Employment, Regulatory, Real Estate, Finance, Tax and Patents teams.