Wayne Nelson, who took over Direct Carpets Hampshire in August 2023 after previously working at the Shirley store, said he has been forced to leave the city after a backlash from customers affected by the closure.
Speaking to the Daily Echo, Wayne said: “I’m mortified that people have been hurt. I’ve had to leave Southampton. I’ve lost everything – I haven’t walked away a wealthy man.”
The business, which first opened in Shirley in 1958 after being founded by the father of the previous owner, announced it had gone into liquidation in a letter taped to its door.
Wayne said the collapse followed a prolonged period of financial strain in what he described as a “turbulent” flooring industry, and acknowledged his decisions contributed.
The 53 year old said: “Looking back, I should have shut at Christmas, but instead I took out a business loan.
“Then I was ill with norovirus, and on top of that, we had a wholesaler who didn’t deliver, and that created a chain reaction.
“I tried to keep the business open because I thought we could trade through it.”
He said he continued trading week by week, ordering stock as required, but things “spiralled” and “got to a point where it wasn’t retrievable”.
Wayne said he has since lost his home, is relying on Universal Credit, and left Southampton after threats and an assault.
“I wanted a better future for my kids,” he said. “I’ve lost my business, my home and much more. I’m truly sorry.”