Gossard, the historic UK lingerie brand established in 1901 and known for bringing the Wonderbra to Britain in the 1960s, has entered liquidation with all staff made redundant. The company ceased trading on May 14, 2026, according to a statement on its website.
Liquidators from CFS Restructuring will dispose of Gossard Limited's assets before shutting down the firm permanently. The business, which operated from The Courtaulds Building on Haydn Road in Sherwood, Nottingham, had significant debts to HMRC and suppliers.
Documents submitted to Companies House reveal that Gossard had approximately £642,993 worth of stock, but this was expected to generate only around £17,400 during the sale. This fell far short of the £2,482,763 claimed by 25 suppliers and a £346,191 claim from HMRC. Three former employees also lodged claims totalling £77,910, with an overall shortfall of £2,813,604.
Two sister companies, Embody (Brands) Limited and Pretty Polly Limited, also entered liquidation on the same date. Embody, a hosiery retailer based in the same building, had £947,257 in stock expected to fetch only £35,300, leaving creditors facing a predicted shortfall of £1,025,117. Pretty Polly, another connected firm, also ceased trading and entered liquidation.
Gossard's European operations and affiliated entities outside the UK are continuing to operate normally and are not affected by the liquidation proceedings.
