FOR LOVERS of its well-priced and at times, iconic designs, the news that furniture retailer Habitat has been put into administration is sad indeed.

Yesterday it was announced that all but three of the UK Habitat stores, including Bournemouth, are being put into administration in a deal to sell the indebted furniture chain.

The stores in Tottenham Court Road, Finchley Road and King’s Road in London, as well as the brand, are being sold to the Home Retail Group, which also owns Argos and Homebase.

It is reported that Habitat has appointed administrators for its other 30 outlets, which will continue trading for now.

Most devastated of all will be the chain’s 900 or so staff, around 750 of whom are not being moved to the new owner.

But it is pretty disappointing too, for those who loved the chain’s ethos and admired the vision of its founder, Sir Terence Conran.

He opened the first store in swinging Chelsea in 1964, revolutionising homeware design.

No stuffy upholstery, anti-macassars or fussy sheets, blankets and mitred corners for him.

Conran introduced his baby-boomer customers to delights like stripped pine, ‘continental quilts’, and the ‘chicken brick’, a way to cook food that never really caught on. But everyone still went out and bought one.

They were sold from a store with room sets, whitewashed brick walls and which exuded a cool, modern vibe, perfect for all those who had avoided the horrors of austerity and were looking for a home quite unlike that of their parents.

Conran gave it to them in spades, commissioning bedlinen, kitchen cutlery that didn’t need to be polished and chunky crockery for their pine table.

Over the years certain designs endured, including Robin Day’s unfeasibly comfortable and hip leather sofa, the much sought-after Oliva free-standing kitchen, and Tord Boontje’s golden petal pendant light.

For those who love these things it seems almost impossible to believe the store that sold them has been sold off itself.

But Habitat said: “Trading conditions have remained challenging for retailers of big ticket items such as furniture.”

With the company continuing to make a loss, it added: “A return to profitability in the UK appears unlikely in the near term as many of the stores are expensive and poorly located for a furniture retailer.”

But there is still recognition of the brand’s tradition.

“The style-led credentials of the Habitat brand, with its strong heritage, will be a significant addition to the group’s portfolio of own brands,” said HRG chief Terry Duddy.

Sir Terence Conran, who left the business in the 1990s said: “Of course I’m sad that my love child, Habitat, appears to be dying, but I am more interested in the future of my own business projects.”

Existing Habitat stores will continue to trade as normal and are promising to fulfil all existing orders and protect deposits.