Fri, 02 Jan 2026 | ADMINISTRATION
Premium fashion and footwear chain LK Bennett is set to appoint administrators. The company has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators at the High Court, with the move reportedly following a period of weak trading.
The company, which previously went into administration six years ago, had reportedly engaged Alvarez & Marsal prior to Christmas in an effort to secure a last-minute rescue deal, but it now appears likely that it will enter administration prior to any deal.
LK Bennett was founded 35 years ago and, despite being relatively small in comparison to other UK fashion retail giants, has developed a strong brand. The business is popular among fashion influencers, with customers including the Princess of Wales.
The company last fell into administration in 2019 amid rising business rates. Despite failing to find fresh funding and closing several stores, the firm was ultimately acquired by Rebecca Feng, who ran the brand’s franchises in China, through Byland UK.
Following the acquisition, the firm initially experienced growth, expanding into new categories such as bridal wear, opening stores in key locations, returning to profitability and moving its flagship store and headquarters to Bond Street in London. The company became an official Ascot sponsor in 2023 and launched its products on the M&S webstore in the following year.
However, LK Bennett subsequently came under renewed pressure in an increasingly challenging business and retail environment. In the year to January 27 2024, it reported revenue of £42.1 million, down from approximately £48.8 million a year earlier, while falling from an operating profit of £2.8 million to a loss of £2.3 million.
In 2025, it appears the company’s problems intensified, with many businesses impacted by persistently weak consumer confidence and escalating costs, resulting in it moving to appoint administrators.
In its most recent accounts, the firm’s non-current assets were valued at £2.7 million and current assets at £24 million, while net liabilities totalled approximately £3.5 million. LK Bennett currently operates from nine standalone stores and 13 concessions across the UK and Ireland.
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