YORK'S two LK Bennett stores have been hit following the sale of the brand to a new owner.
Nationally, more than a third of the UK stores will shut, resulting in around 110 job losses.
Rebecca Feng, who runs the brand’s Chinese franchises, has agreed to buy the business through a new company called Byland UK.
The sale includes headquarters, 21 stores and all of its concessions. It safeguards around 325 jobs.
LK Bennett's store in Low Petergate, York Picture: Frank Dwyer
LK Bennett has a store in Low Petergate, York, and another at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet. A spokeswoman for EY told The Press there were 14 members of staff across the two stores.
A notice in the window of the city centre store thanks shoppers for their custom on behalf of management and staff, and directs them to the next nearest LK Bennett in Harrogate.
This notice is in the window of the Low Petergate store Picture: Frank Dwyer
Gift cards, refunds and orders will be honoured as part of the arrangement.
Ms Feng said: “Under our plan, the business will continue to operate out of the UK, looking to maintain the long-standing and undoubted heritage of the brand. This will be achieved through a combination of working with quality British design, and the business’s existing supply chain.”
Darren Topp Darren Topp (Yui Mok/PA) Ms Feng has worked on the deal with Darren Topp and Andrew Ellis, LK Bennett’s former chief executive and finance director. Both will stay on after the deal to assist the business.
LK Bennett called in administrators from EY last month as it was hit by the headwinds affecting UK retail.
Some 55 jobs have already been cut after five stores closed immediately following the administration, while staff numbers at the company’s head office were reduced.
The fashion retailer, known for its smart daywear, attracted celebrity fans over its near 30-year history, including the Duchess of Cambridge, who made their nude court shoes a signature part of her look.
Before the administration, LK Bennett was owned by founder Linda Bennett, who had stepped back from the brand in 2008, but returned in 2017 as a consultant.
Later that year, she bought back the controlling stake previously held by Phoenix Equity Partners.
The UK stores not included in the sale and which will now close are:
Bath
Belfast
Birmingham
Bridgewater, Banbridge
City, Royal Exchange, London
Glasgow
Gloucester
King's Road, London
Knightsbridge, London
Long Acre, London
Northcote Road, London
St Albans
Westgate Oxford
York
York Outlet
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