The Timberland Furniture store in King St was locked yesterday morning and a sign from real estate agents Martin, Morris and Jones, posted on the door, warned against unauthorised entry.

A Timberland spokesman said the business was negotiating a lease issue and hoped to resume operations at the premises soon.

He said the company, which had several stores, was "not folding".

A customer who drove from Berry to pick up a pre-paid $299 computer table from the store yesterday arrived to find it closed and called the real estate agent, who had indicated Timberland may reopen on Monday.

Superfurn in King St has also closed its doors.

The Mercury was told that goods had been transferred from the Superfurn store and that it would not be reopening.