Jessops

Jessops the camera and electronics retailer became insolvent in 2013 after Administrators PWC declared the company bankrupt. The company went into administration due to strong competition from other electronic shops serving more up to date and useful technology. In December 2013 entrepreneur Peter Jones bought out the company and invested £4,000,000 into refurbishing it.

• Administrators: PWC
• Year Founded: 1935
• Total Number of Employees: 2,000
• Total Number of Jobs Lost: 1,534
• Number of Retail Shops: 192
• Managing Director/CEO: Frank Jessop

…2019: Currently Jessops has 58 locations and in the year to April 2017 sales rose 24% to nearly £100m. It has continued to trade by focusing on printing and appealing to all types of photographer – not only keen camera users but the new generation of smartphone users who want to see their selfies on (photographic) paper.

Republic

Republic the fashion retailer became insolvent in 2013 after Administrators Ernst & Young declared the company bankrupt. The company went into administration partly due to the harsh economic climate, its main consumers were young people and with a high unemployment rate in young people, their consumers stopped spending. Consumers started going to budget clothes shops like Primark. 114 stores were bought by Sports Direct.

• Administrators: Ernst & Young
• Year Founded: 1985
• Total Number of Employees: 136,000 (peak)
• Number of Jobs Lost: 150
• Number of Retail Shops: 121
• Managing Director/CEO: Tim Whitworth

…2019: Any remaining stores were merged with USC, so as of 2019, Republic remains absent from the UK high street.

Dwell Retail Ltd

Dwell Retail Ltd the furniture retailer became insolvent in 2012 after Administrators Duff & Phelps declared the company bankrupt. The company went into administration after the founders left the business and a new management team was installed by Key Capital Partners. In June 2013, Dwell Retail announced that it had ceased trading with immediate effect, including the loss of 24 stores. Six Dwell stores reopened again in 2014 when the original founders bought the brand back, out of administration. In 2014 Dwell was acquiredbyt DFS.

• Administrators: Duff & Phelps
• Year Founded: 2002
• Total Number of Employees: 300
• Total Number of Jobs Lost: 300
• Number of Retail Shops: 24

…2019: Dwell now has a transactional website and 36 stores across the UK. It has strengthened partnerships with key and former suppliers while continuing to improve its range and supply chains.

Barratts

Barratts the shoe retailer became insolvent in 2013 after Administrators Duff & Phelps declared the company bankrupt. The company went into administration following a trading loss of £12.5m in 2008, on 26 January 2009 Stylo’s shares were suspended. Barratts and PriceLess soon went into administration and on 13 February 2009 Stylo itself went into administration. In 2014 Barratts brand and website was bought out again.

• Administrators: Duff & Phelps
• Year Founded: 1903
• Total Number of Employees: 5,500
• Total Number of Jobs Lost: 5,000
• Number of Retail Shops: 380
• Managing Director/CEO: Michael Ziff

…2009: There are no traces of the Barratts brand on the British high street in 2019, and while the website is still live it sells other well-know brands and redirects to other retailers.

Lakeland Leather

Lakeland Leather the clothing chain retailer became insolvent in 2014 after Administrators MWW declared the company bankrupt. The company went into administration after a drastic drop in sales at their peak time. It was bought out by a director of the company in a prepacked deal.

• Administrators: MWW
• Year Founded: 1960
• Total Number of Jobs Lost: 200
• Number of Retail Shops: 22
• Managing Director/CEO: Richard Standring

…2019: Lakeland Leathers’ fortunes changed somewhat as a result of the brand shifting its tactics; focusing on its specialism – leather (designing in-house and having a leather expert), and dialing down on the heavy discounting. It has also expanded into larger leather products which have a higher price, such as luggage-sized bags. Futhermore the brand has sought to differentiate itself by using British sheep skins.

Jane Norman

Jane Norman the fashion retailer became insolvent in 2014 after Administrators Grant Thornton declared the company bankrupt. The company went into administration due to falling sales and demand for their products simultaneously. The Edinburgh Woollen Mill purchased the brand operating it as an in store concession.

• Administrators: Grant Thornton
• Year Founded: 1952
• Total Number of Employees: 6,000
• Total Number of Jobs Lost: 157
• Number of Retail Shops: 24
• Managing Director/CEO: Saj Shah

…2019: The Edinburgh Woollen Mill announced in May 2018 that the brand would close.