In a significant blow to the British high street, the renowned fashion retailer LK Bennett is poised to permanently close all of its standalone stores across the United Kingdom. This decision follows the company's recent entry into administration, a move that places dozens of jobs at immediate risk and signals the end of an era for the brand's physical retail presence.
Administration and Acquisition Details
As of February 2026, LK Bennett has formally entered administration. While the investment firm Gordon Brothers has successfully acquired the LK Bennett brand itself, this transaction explicitly excluded the retailer's entire portfolio of physical shop locations. Consequently, the future of the brand's brick-and-mortar operations has been cast into serious doubt.
Timeline for Store Closures
Administrators have confirmed that all nine remaining standalone LK Bennett stores, along with 13 concessions operating within larger department stores, will continue trading for a limited period of up to three months. This winding-down process means that permanent closures are highly likely to be completed by April 2026, marking a swift exit from the high street.
Locations at Risk of Closure
The following nine standalone store locations have been identified as being at direct risk of permanent closure:
- London – New Bond Street
- London – Knightsbridge
- London – Canary Wharf
- London – Duke of York Square, Chelsea
- London – Westfield White City
- Richmond
- Bluewater Shopping Centre, Kent
- Chester
- Harrogate
Additionally, concessions located within major department stores such as John Lewis, Fenwick, Bentalls, Jarrolds, Hoopers, De Gruchy, and Arnotts & Brown Thomas across the UK and Ireland are also expected to cease trading within the same three-month timeframe.
Impact on Employment and Operations
The planned closures could result in up to 89 redundancies, according to industry reports. LK Bennett currently employs approximately 145 staff across the UK and Ireland, with 89 of these individuals working directly within the store and concession estate. The fate of the remaining 56 head office staff remains uncertain following the brand's acquisition.
John Noon, joint administrator and senior director at Alvarez & Marsal, provided a statement regarding the situation. "We are pleased to have concluded this transaction, which will preserve the LK Bennett brand and its heritage of craftsmanship and quality," he said. The immediate plan is to maintain temporary trading operations while systematically winding down the physical retail business.
Brand Legacy and Market Context
Founded in London and long associated with premium womenswear, LK Bennett has built a reputation for quality footwear, tailoring, and occasionwear. The brand has enjoyed notable patronage, including from Catherine, Princess of Wales. While the LK Bennett name will continue under its new ownership, its direct presence on the UK high street is now set to conclude after more than three decades.
This development occurs amidst a challenging period for the retail sector. Just days prior, the fashion retailer Quiz confirmed it was entering administration, placing 44 stores and approximately 1,000 jobs at risk. Quiz had cited disappointing Christmas trading figures and was exploring options to secure its future. This would mark the third time in six years that Quiz has entered administration, following a similar pre-pack arrangement less than twelve months ago that resulted in 23 store closures.
The closure of LK Bennett's stores represents a significant contraction for a beloved high street name and underscores the ongoing pressures facing physical retail in the current economic climate.
