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LK Bennett Closes All UK Stores and Shuts Website in Bankruptcy Wind-Down

New owner Gordon Brothers plans a licensing-led, asset-light relaunch.

Overview

  • LK Bennett has finished winding down its retail estate in Britain, closing nine stores and taking its website offline, with concessions selling through remaining stock before closing.
  • Companies House filings show unsecured creditors recovered 2.65 pence per pound, pointing to about £34 million in losses, while secured creditors were repaid in full.
  • Roughly 90 jobs were affected by the store closures, ending remaining in-house retail roles at the brand.
  • Gordon Brothers bought the LK Bennett brand and intellectual property in January and is exploring licensing to bring the label back to market without running its own stores.
  • Next plc weighed a deal for LK Bennett but instead bought assets from bankrupt rival Russell & Bromley, including three London-area stores, highlighting ongoing consolidation in UK footwear and fashion retail.