29 Belgian Leen Bakker stores to close after bankruptcy, cutting 250 jobs

Leen Bakker Belgium was declared bankrupt on Wednesday by a court in Antwerp, forcing the permanent closure of 29 stores that failed to find a buyer. The bankruptcy will cost 250 employees their jobs, while about 50 others may find work in other stores.

The furniture chain had been struggling in Belgium for years due to “particularly challenging market conditions” and mounting losses.

This summer, the company put more than 40 Belgian locations up for sale. Last week, it was announced that 14 stores would be acquired by other chains, including Dreamland, Swiss Sense, and Jysk.

A company statement said a bankruptcy trustee will soon decide whether the remaining 29 stores will remain open temporarily. Some employees may transfer to Kwantum Belgium, a sister chain of Leen Bakker.

Leen Bakker emphasized that Leen Bakker Netherlands and Kwantum in both the Netherlands and Belgium are not affected by the bankruptcy.