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LK Bennett Files to Appoint Administrator for the Second Time in Six Years

The British womenswear chain faces a short window to secure funding before lender support expires on 31 January 2026.

Overview

  • The High Court application follows reporting that advisers at Alvarez & Marsal had been running an accelerated sale process to find a buyer.
  • Stores and the website continue to trade for now, but the filing signals acute insolvency risk.
  • Latest filed accounts to January 2024 show a loss of about £3.2 million, borrowings near £22 million, and revenue of £42.1 million.
  • Auditor Grant Thornton flagged material uncertainty over going concern, citing covenant breaches and a bank letter extending facilities only until at least 31 January 2026 without waivers.
  • The retailer, owned by backers linked to its Chinese franchise partner Rebecca Feng, employs roughly 280 staff and now operates nine standalone UK shops plus 13 concessions.