The British high street is set to lose another familiar name as fashion retailer LK Bennett prepares to close all its physical stores, putting up to 89 jobs at risk. The brand's nine standalone outlets and 13 concessions will continue trading for no more than three months before shutting permanently, following the company's acquisition by investment firm Gordon Brothers.
Administration and Acquisition Details
LK Bennett Fashion Limited entered administration on 27th January 2026, with John Noon and Mark Firmin of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP appointed as joint administrators. Immediately following this appointment, the LK Bennett brand and its intellectual property were sold to LKB IP Holdings, LLC, an entity affiliated with Gordon Brothers.
This transaction specifically preserved the brand's heritage and reputation for craftsmanship while excluding the physical retail operations from the deal. The stores continue to trade under administration while the brand's online sales platform remains operational for the foreseeable future.
Employment Impact and Timeline
Across the UK and Ireland, LK Bennett currently employs 145 workers in total. The retail network employs 89 staff members who face potential redundancy as stores prepare to close. The company's 56 head office employees face an uncertain future following the takeover.
John Noon, joint administrator and senior director at Alvarez & Marsal, stated: "Our intention is to continue to trade the remaining portfolio of stores and via the concession partners for a period of up to three months." He added: "We are pleased to have concluded this transaction which will preserve the LK Bennett brand and its heritage of craftsmanship and quality for which it has been historically renowned."
Stores Facing Closure
The nine standalone LK Bennett stores scheduled for closure include:
- Bluewater shopping centre
- Canary Wharf
- Chester
- Duke of York Square, Chelsea
- Harrogate
- Knightsbridge
- New Bond Street
- Richmond
- Westfield White City
Concessions Under Threat
Thirteen concession locations will also cease trading, including:
- Arnotts, Dublin
- Bentalls shopping centre, Kingston
- Brown Thomas, Dublin
- De Gruchy, Jersey
- Hoopers, Tunbridge Wells
- Hoopers, Wimslow
- Jarrolds, Norwich
- John Lewis, Edinburgh
- John Lewis, High Wycombe
- John Lewis, Oxford Street, London
- John Lewis, Manchester
- John Lewis, Oxford
- John Lewis, Cheadle
Broader Implications
This development represents another significant blow to Britain's traditional retail landscape, following a pattern of high street brands struggling to maintain physical store networks in an increasingly digital marketplace. The preservation of the LK Bennett brand name and online operations suggests a strategic shift toward digital retailing while abandoning brick-and-mortar locations.
The three-month trading period provides limited time for remaining stock clearance and offers some transitional employment for affected staff. However, the uncertainty surrounding head office positions highlights the broader challenges facing traditional retail operations in adapting to changing consumer habits and market conditions.
