John Whitfield and Philip Duffy, partners at Duff & Phelps, have been appointed joint administrators of Dwell Retail Ltd, the furniture supplier which collapsed earlier this month, putting around 300 jobs and £1m of customers' deposits at risk.

Dwell ceased trading with immediate effect on 20 June, following the decision of its management to close all 23 stores and its one concession in the House of Fraser. All employees were asked to stay at home pending confirmation of the appointment and no orders have been dispatched from that date.

John Whitfield, joint administrator and Duff & Phelps partner, said: 'Following our appointment we will be formulating a strategy for the Administration. Employees will be notified of their position as soon as possible.'

Immediately following the store closures, there were complaints in the press from customers who had made down payments for furniture earlier in the year, but had yet to receive the goods.

Whitfield said: 'We are also aware that there are a large number of customers who have placed orders with the company and have already paid deposits. Those customers who have bought goods and have outstanding orders should contact their card issuer in the first instance. Other customers who have not paid by credit card will be unsecured creditors and should notify Duff & Phelps in writing at its Birmingham office.'

Whitfield said that the administrators had yet to conclude the position with regards to Dwell gift vouchers, and said any customers who held these should contact Duff & Phelps in writing.

Dwell began trading with a single store in Balham, South London in 2003. It initially expanded to additional locations in London such as Islington, Tottenham Court Road and both Westfield shopping complexes, and more recently opened stores in Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow.

The company had its headquarters in Milton Keynes, which was also home to its own central warehouse and distribution centre.