Big UK PC gaming retailer Ebuyer is reportedly in danger, with closure imminent

Ebuyer, one of the UK's biggest online technology retailers, is reportedly set to close. That's according to reports circulating online that suggest the company's staff were sent home early this week, days after a petition to wind up the 25-year-old company was issued by its landlord.

If you've been buying PC gaming hardware in the UK in the last 25 years, you've probably used Ebuyer. I've bought plenty from this UK tech giant over the years, including a Corsair headset that we recommend in our best gaming headset guide, along with a new Razer mouse from our best gaming mouse guide. Ebuyer has always been the first retailer I'd think to check for my own tech purchases, so on a personal level, it's a shame to see it close, if that's what happens.

Ebuyer's troubles came to light via this report by Overclock3D, whose sources confirmed that the company's staff were unexpectedly sent home early on August 6. It follows a winding up petition made against the company by Urban Logistics Acquisitions 6 Limited on August 1.

The winding up petition is a process used in the UK to apply to a court to forcefully close and liquidate a company when it can't pay its debts. Urban Logistics Acquisitions 6 Limited is the owner of the building that Ebuyer currently leases as its headquarters, so it's possible that the company hasn't been able to pay its rent, although that information isn't publicly available at this stage.

Ebuyer launched in 2000, perfectly timed to enter the market as an online store for PC enthusiasts. Its most recent owners, Mark Reed and Richard Marsden, bought the company in 2023, reportedly looking to expand it following difficulties after the Covid pandemic. If the company is set to close, however, it appears that it hasn't been successful.

Ebuyer's closure would be a serious loss to the UK gaming market, leaving Overclockers UK and Scan UK among only a small number of home-grown retailers for PC owners and builders. While Ebuyer hasn't yet confirmed its status, if you've recently purchased anything from the company, we'd recommend you check on the status of your order as soon as possible - more information will no doubt become available via its website over the coming days.

If you're already thinking about your next PC build, our how to build a gaming PC guide will talk you through the steps. Other retailers are available, so why not start by looking at our best gaming CPU guide to pick out the brains of the operation first, with AMD and Intel options available.

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