Graeme Millar: "Abysmal state of affairs"

The company operates 23 Landmark Home Furnishing and Landmark Home Furnishing (Southern) outlets across Scotland and parts of England.

It has an estimated turnover of �35m but recently suffered major trading losses and mounting debts.

Angry customers have been turning up at stores demanding their goods or their money back.

When BBC Scotland reporters turned up they found stores being locked up and cleared of goods by people who did not wish to be identified.

The Scottish Consumer Council has expressed concern at the firm's behaviour.

Disqualification unit

Chairman Graeme Millar said: "It's an abysmal state of affairs. The customer is completely stranded, they haven't been communicated with, they don't know if they've lost their money and they don't know if they are going to get the goods that they ordered.

"This is not the way to run a business."

BBC Scotland has received a letter from the Department of Trade and Industry's company directors disqualification unit, which is considering an investigation into Landmark's business.

Stores have been emptied of goods

Discussions to sell the concern took place but broke down resulting in receivers, BDO Stoy Hayward Business Recovery Services, being called in.

BDO Stoy Hayward said it was reviewing the situation, including the outstanding customer orders.

It has begun seeking buyers for the business and a spokesman said it was encouraged by the level of interest shown by a number of parties.

Andrew Pepper, of BDO Stoy Hayward, said: "We will do everything possible to mitigate the impact upon Landmark's staff and customers.

"We understand that this has happened at a difficult time of year and if customers do have queries, they should write to us."

He gave the address as: BDO Stoy Hayward, 168 West George Street, Glasgow G2 2PT.