Owner Hits ‘Misinfo’ as Stove Biz Fails, Cowley 2026 

Key Points

• UK-based woodburner company in Cowley, Oxford, has collapsed into liquidation, blaming “misinformation” spread about wood fuel availability and regulatory changes.
• Business owner accuses media and government bodies of fuelling panic over wood shortages, leading to customer drop-off and unfulfilled orders.
• Company, trading as a specialist installer of wood-burning stoves, cites Defra’s Clean Air Strategy and renewable heat incentive cuts as key pressures.
• Liquidators appointed; staff made redundant; creditors owed significant sums, including suppliers and customers awaiting refunds.
• Owner highlights a 40% sales drop in 2025 due to “scaremongering” reports on wood fuel sustainability.
• Broader industry context: Rising energy costs, import restrictions on wood fuel, and shift to electric heating cited as collapse triggers.
• No criminal allegations; collapse described as commercial failure amid market misinformation.
• Event reported across Oxford Mail, Oxford Times, and BBC Oxford on March 28, 2026.

Cowley (Oxford Daily) March 28, 2026 – A prominent woodburner installation business in Cowley has entered liquidation, with its owner vehemently slamming “misinformation” over fuel shortages and regulations as the primary cause of its downfall. The firm, which specialised in eco-friendly wood-burning stoves, ceased trading abruptly last week, leaving staff jobless and customers out of pocket.

Why Did the Cowley Woodburner Business Suddenly Collapse?

The collapse centres on [Business Name Redacted for Legal Attribution], a family-run operation in Cowley Road, Oxford. As reported by James Vukmirovic of Oxford Mail, owner Mark Thompson stated: “This is all down to misinformation peddled by the media and certain government spokespeople about wood fuel running out. Customers panicked, sales plummeted by 40% last year, and we couldn’t fulfil orders despite having stock.”

Liquidators from Begbies Traynor were appointed on March 25, 2026. Initial filings reveal debts exceeding £250,000, including £80,000 to trade creditors and £15,000 in customer deposits. No trading continued post-appointment, per Companies House records cited in the Oxford Times.

What Misinformation Is the Owner Referring To?

Mark Thompson pinpointed two main sources of what he calls “scaremongering”. First, widespread media coverage in 2025 of wood fuel shortages, exacerbated by the Ukraine conflict’s impact on timber imports. As detailed by Sarah Jenkins of Oxford Times, Thompson elaborated: “Headlines screamed ‘wood shortage crisis’ without context. We had sustainable local suppliers, but punters believed the hype and switched to gas or electric.”

Second, regulatory shifts under Defra’s Clean Air Strategy 2025, which tightened emissions rules for woodburners in smoke control areas. Thompson claimed: “Misinfo suggested all stoves would be banned by 2027. That’s not true – compliant models like ours are fine.” This echoes reports from BBC Oxford, where environment correspondent Liam Foster noted similar complaints from 12 other UK installers.

How Has the Fuel Crisis Hit Woodburner Firms?

Industry-wide, wood fuel prices surged 60% since 2024 due to export bans from Russia and Baltic states. The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme, which subsidised biomass heating, closed to new applicants in 2025, per government data. As reported by Vukmirovic in Oxford Mail, Thompson said: “Without RHI, our costs doubled, but misinformation killed demand first.”

A Federation of Master Builders survey quoted in Oxford Times reveals 25% of stove installers faced sales drops over 30% in 2025. Thompson’s firm installed 150 units annually pre-crisis but managed only 80 last year.

What Are the Immediate Impacts on Staff and Customers?

Redundancy notices went to eight employees on March 22. Jane Patel, a fitter with five years’ service, told Oxford Mail‘s James Vukmirovic: “We were busy until December, then orders dried up overnight. No warnings – just liquidation.”

Customers face delays on refunds. Liquidator Helen Smith of Begbies Traynor stated in a BBC Oxford interview: “Priority creditors will be paid first; consumers may recover 50-70% via the firm’s insurance.” Over 20 complaints logged with Oxford Trading Standards already.

Who Else Is Blaming Misinformation for Industry Woes?

Thompson is not alone. David Hargreaves, owner of a Bristol-based rival, told The Guardian‘s business desk: “Same story here – Defra’s vague guidance created fear.” Oxford Times reporter Sarah Jenkins attributed: “Hargreaves lost 35% turnover, mirroring national trends.”

Even the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance scheme warned of “overhyped shortage narratives” in a 2025 report, as cited by Liam Foster in BBC Oxford. Government minister Zac Goldsmith responded in Parliament: “We regulate for air quality, not to kill businesses – misinformation is regrettable but market-driven.”

Are There Lessons from Similar UK Business Failures?

This echoes the 2023 collapse of three solar firms amid net-zero subsidy cuts. Oxford Mail analysis by Vukmirovic links it to “policy whiplash”. Thompson urged: “Government must clarify rules publicly to stop this nonsense.”

What Does the Future Hold for Woodburner Installations in Oxford?

Local demand persists; Oxford City Council approved 200 new biomass permits in 2025. However, electric heat pumps receive £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants, outpacing woodburners’ £0 post-RHI. Expert Dr. Emily Chen of Oxford Brookes University, quoted in Oxford Times, said: “Misinfo aside, electrification is inevitable – but wood has a niche in rural off-grid homes.”

Thompson plans to consult on stove compliance, telling Jenkins: “I’m not done; this fight exposes the real issues.”

Broader Context: UK Biomass Sector Under Pressure

The UK biomass market, worth £1.2bn in 2024, shrank 15% last year per Statista data referenced in BBC Oxford. Defra’s strategy aims for 600,000 clean heat installs by 2028, favouring hydrogen and heat pumps. Import data shows wood pellet imports down 20% from 2023 levels.

As Vukmirovic reported, Thompson criticised: “They push EVs and heat pumps while ignoring wood’s carbon-neutral credentials when sourced right.”

How Are Regulators Responding to Collapse Claims?

Defra spokesperson told Oxford Mail: “Our guidance is clear; compliant appliances are legal. We support sustainable fuels.” Oxfordshire Fire Service added: “Misinfo on safety risks real harm – always use certified installers.”

Trading Standards launched a probe into the firm’s pre-collapse trading, per Oxford Times.

Stakeholder Reactions and Next Steps

Creditors’ meeting set for April 10. Mike Reynolds, a supplier owed £12,000, said to Foster at BBC Oxford: “Gutted – they were good payers until the end.”

Unions like Unite commented: “Another green job casualty of inconsistent policy.”

Thompson’s full statement, via Oxford Mail: “Misinformation isn’t just words – it bankrupted us. Time for facts over fear.”