Henri Lloyd calls in administrators in tough UK retail market

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Jun 11, 2018

The Henri Lloyd chain is the latest British retail business to go under with the company having called in administrators. The clothing-to-accessories brand, which was founded in Manchester in the 1960s, specialises in waterproof clothing for hobby and professional sailors, as well as other sports-linked pieces that also cross over into athleisure. All that would seem to have made it a business with strong prospects in the British market. 

But it hasn't been able to survive the onslaught of consumer caution, internet retailing, high business property taxes and more.

It has seven UK stores and has faced “challenging trading conditions on the high street,” administrator RSM Restructuring Advisory said. The administration process will be run by Chris Ratten and Jeremy Woodside from RSM and they said that while it’s early days, “we are talking to potential interested parties and working with our professional advisers to review the status of the business with a view to maximising the returns to creditors.”

The brand, which was launched by Angus Lloyd and Henri Strzelecki, has had a high profile despite its small size and has benefited from a publicity boost after being worn by the Duchess of Cambridge. It also has other high-profile links and makes a specific Team Sky collection in a deal with the cycling team.