A well-known fashion brand on British high streets will shutter all its physical locations in the coming days after previously entering administration earlier this year.
The business, which began trading in the 1990s, went into administration in January. John Noon and Mark Firmin from Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP were named as the joint administrators.
Shortly after their appointment, the LK Bennett name and associated intellectual property were acquired by the American company Gordon Brothers, which also holds ownership of Laura Ashley and Poundland.
However, the chain’s nine standalone outlets and 13 concession counters were not part of this transaction, leaving their futures uncertain.
The brand’s website states that the physical stores were not included in the sale and continued trading while under administration.
The company has now announced that every remaining outlet will shut permanently in four days.
In a social media announcement on Tuesday, the retailer noted that only six days remained before the stores closed their doors for the final time. The post encouraged customers to visit in person to take advantage of discounts reaching 80 percent across all product ranges. The message warned that stock was limited and customers should not miss their last opportunity to visit.
A countdown timer on the website informs shoppers precisely how much time remains before their local branch ceases trading.
The complete list of locations closing on Sunday includes nine standalone stores and thirteen concession outlets.
The standalone stores are situated at Lower Guildhall Mall in Bluewater, Canary Wharf in London, Eastgate Square Shopping Centre in Chester, Duke of York Square in London, Harrogate, Knightsbridge in London, New Bond Street in London, Richmond, and White City Westfield in London.
The thirteen concession stores are located at Arnotts in Dublin, The Bentall Centre in Kingston upon Thames, Brown Thomas in Dublin, De Gruchy in Jersey, Hoopers in Tunbridge Wells, Hoopers in Wilmslow, Jarrold in Norwich, John Lewis in Edinburgh, John Lewis in High Wycombe, John Lewis on Oxford Street in London, John Lewis in Manchester, John Lewis in Oxford, and John Lewis in Cheadle.
The permanent closure of all stores follows the retailer’s decision to cease operating its website last week. Online purchasing through the site had continued after the administration announcement in January until last week. The website now displays a notice indicating that online and telephone ordering has ended and that shopping is only available in physical stores for a limited period. Any orders already placed by customers will be fulfilled as expected. Customers can still view the website to find information about returns, sizing, and store locations. The homepage now features a prominent banner advertising the closing-down event, stating that everything must go with reductions reaching 90 percent.