Rathwood Enters Examinership; 565 Complaints, Refunds Halted for Pre-April 24 Orders

Rathwood, a garden centre and outdoor furniture retailer, has formally entered examinership, stating that refunds for orders placed before April 24, 2026, cannot be processed at this time. The company, based near the Carlow-Wicklow border, will continue to trade normally during the process, which provides court protection from creditors for 70 to 100 days to allow for restructuring.

Rathwood, a family-run business operating for over 30 years with approximately 100 staff, has faced persistent issues with delivery delays and refund processing. In March, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) secured an undertaking from Rathwood to reimburse affected customers. The CCPC's 2025 helpline report revealed Rathwood was the second-most complained about company last year, with 565 complaints, a significant increase from the previous year. The company attributed some issues to losing its main garden furniture supplier last year but stated it has rebuilt its supply chain.

Customers awaiting refunds for cancelled orders are now unsecured creditors and will not receive refunds during examinership. The outcome for these customers—full, partial, or no refund—depends on the restructuring. Customers with paid but undelivered orders may still receive them. Those who paid by debit or credit card may pursue a chargeback through their bank, subject to specific terms and timelines, typically within 120 or 180 days from the transaction or agreed delivery date.