All stores to close as UK fashion retailer in administration

The company’s brand and intellectual property have been sold but stores including one in Scotland are in the hands of administrators.

LK Bennett moved from its position in Edinburgh’s boutique quarter in George Street to Multrees Walk before moving again to a concession in John Lewis.

It was reported that around 90 jobs were at risk as all its stores face closure. An earlier administration saw 15 stores close, including one in Glasgow.

A statement on the company website said John Noon and Mark Firmin of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP were appointed joint administrators of LK Bennett Fashion Limited.

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It continued: “Immediately following their appointment, the LK Bennett brand and related intellectual property was sold to LKB IP Holdings, LLC, a Gordon Brothers affiliated entity.

“The LK Bennett stores were not included in the transaction and continue to trade under the administration. Online sales via the LK Bennett website continue for the foreseeable future.

“The company’s affairs, business and property are being managed by the joint administrators, who act as agents of the company and without personal liability.”

It added: “The joint administrators, the joint administrators’ firm and any of the joint administrators’ partners, employees, agents or advisers will not bear any liability, whether personal or otherwise under or in connection with the terms and conditions nor any other policy.”

The company listed nine shops and 13 concessions. Administrators will operate the outlets for “up to three months”, Drapers reported.

The Edinburgh-based owner of Royal Bank of Scotland has clinched its biggest acquisition since the financial crisis.

NatWest Group has this morning announced the £2.7 billion acquisition of Evelyn Partners, ramping up its presence in the private banking and wealth market which it currently serves through its Coutts boutique operation.

It is the bank’s biggest acquisition since receiving a £45.5bn bailout during the financial crisis of 2008 and 2009, when it was known as Royal Bank of Scotland at parent group level. The bank made its full return to private ownership in May last year.

NatWest declared the Evelyn deal creates UK’s leading private banking and wealth management business, overseeing more than £125bn of assets under management and administration with the addition of Evelyn’s £65bn of AUMA.

The founder of the prestigious Edinburgh New Town Cookery School has announced her retirement after a 50-year career in the industry.

Leading culinary educator Fiona Burrell trained chefs, entrepreneurs and home cooks throughout her five decades in the sector before stepping down.

Fiona started started work as a teacher at Leiths School of Food and Wine founded by Dame Prue Leith in 1983. (Image: Supplied)

Ms Burrell said: “When I founded the school, my goal was to give people skills that would stay with them for life, but also the confidence to use those skills to change their own futures.

“Seeing students transform their careers, start businesses, or simply find joy in cooking has been the most rewarding part of my work.”

Ms Burrell began her career in Edinburgh in the 1970s, later working in kitchens in London before joining Leiths School of Food and Wine in 1983.

She rose from teacher to principal during her 12 years at Leiths, contributing to several of the school’s cookbooks. After leaving, she became a consultant, recipe developer, food stylist and columnist, also appearing on television and radio.