Administrators for John Lewis of Hungerford were appointed for the bespoke kitchen and cabinet business on July 7 according to official records.

However, since then, media reports have indicated that the Oxfordshire-based company may have been saved from liquidation after a buy-out, although with redundancies.

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Founded in 1972 by John Lewis in Hungerford, Berkshire, the firm specialises in designing, kitchens and cabinetry for around the home.

Everything they make is crafted by hand and is bespoke designed to the client, with its work recognised by the industry most recently by a highly commended for the Ideal Home’s Kitchen of the Year Award 2026.

John Lewis of Hungerford in Grove (Image: Google Maps)

It has a number of showrooms, including in Hungerford, Fulham, Cobham and Grove Business Park near Wantage, where it is officially based.

One in Winchester closed recently.

In its latest accounts, to June 30, 2025, it listed creditors falling within a year of £3.8 million a rise of around £1 million from the year before.

In addition it said its average number of employees was 52 down from 64 the year previous.

In the directors’ report for those accounts, the challenges facing John Lewis of Hungerford were acknowledged.

A closed John Lewis of Hungerford showroom in Winchester (Image: Jacob Rayner)

The directors said: “The trading environment remains difficult, with fragile consumer confidence and ongoing inflationary and interest rate pressures.

“Nevertheless, the Board believes the strengthened margin profile, leaner cost base, and sustained marketing performance, position the business well for a gradual recovery in demand as market conditions stabilise.”

In addition, they said that the business is a ‘going concern’ which means they expected to stay afloat for the next 12 months.

They added: “The forecasts indicate that the Company has adequate financial resources to continue operations for at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements.

“While the broader economic environment remains sensitive to interest rate movements and consumer confidence, the current trajectory indicates a recovery in the Company’s key markets.”

John Lewis of Hungerford in Hungerford (Image: Google Maps)

However, it seems the year did not go as expected, as it fell into administration earlier this month with administrators from bk plus limited appointed.

Kbbreview has quoted the administrators who said that margins were eroded due to the “costs of manufacturing” and the “continued cost of living crisis”.

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The news title further reported that part of the business has been saved, being taken over by Rebecca Taylor Associates Limited through a pre-pack administration deal.

This is where the sales of an insolvent company’s business and assets is arranged before the appointment of an administrator and then completed after they are appointed.

The director of Rebecca Taylor Associates Limited is also the director of John Lewis of Hungerford, and the rescue deal should allow the company to continue operations.

Although this has safeguarded 22 jobs, reportedly 21 people have been made redundant during the administration.

Blenheim Estate Homes and Pye Homes have been nominated in the residential development and responsible employer categories at the 2026 OxProp Awards for their Hill Rise project.

Hill Rise is a low-carbon development designed to deliver up to 180 homes in Woodstock.

The first phase includes 48 properties currently under construction.

The scheme features a mix of two, three, and four-bedroom houses, all built with high sustainability standards and a strong focus on resident wellbeing.

The first residents are expected to move in at the end of summer 2026.

Karis McMahon-Lane, property marketing manager at Blenheim Estate Homes, said: “We’re delighted that the hard work which has gone into creating our newest communities is being recognised across several different awards.

“Hill Rise in Woodstock is an exciting project that prioritises sustainability, community and wellbeing for residents and that starts with the way we design and carefully build our homes.”

The winners will be announced at Keble College on September 10.

The recognition adds to a string of industry accolades for the housebuilders.

Meanwhile Pye Homes site manager Stuart Peace recently won a 2026 NHBC Pride in the Job Quality Award, one of the most respected honours in the UK housebuilding sector.

The awards, known as the “Oscars” of the industry, recognise outstanding site managers who demonstrate commitment to raising standards, showcasing best practice and rewarding excellence.

Cassandra Codling, senior regional director at NHBC, said: “Congratulations to Stuart who has demonstrated incredible dedication, passion, commitment and leadership to produce homes of exceptional quality.

“The judges look for site managers who go beyond strong performance and demonstrate qualities that lift a good site manager to an exceptional one.

“The competition is at the heart of NHBC’s core purpose to raise standards in house building.

“It inspires site managers to make their mark on the industry, earning the respect of their peers and leaving a legacy of homes built to the highest quality standards.”

The award featured a rigorous judging process with assessment across six key areas: consistency, attention to detail,leadership, interpretation of drawings and specifications, technical expertise and health and safety.

Thousands of inspections took place to determine the 449 winners from a field of 7,500 sites, representing the top 6 per cent of UK site managers.

Mr Peace will now go on to compete for Seal of Excellence and Regional Awards in the autumn, with the national Supreme Award winners unveiled in January 2027.

For more information about the Hill Rise project, visit www.blenheimestate.com/property/hill-rise.

The supermarket chain is recruiting more than 450 store assistants as it plans to open around 40 new stores this year, part of a wider £370 million investment in its growing UK network.

Kelly Stokes, recruitment director at Aldi UK, said: “Whether you are looking for your first role in retail or a fresh start, Aldi offers market-leading pay, excellent training and real opportunities to build your career.

“From day one, our colleagues are supported with the training and experience they need to succeed, with clear opportunities to progress as their careers develop.”

No formal qualifications are required for the entry-level roles, but Aldi is seeking candidates who are “friendly, positive, and comfortable with numbers.”

Store assistants will be paid £13.50 per hour nationally and £14.88 inside the M25, regardless of age.

Wages can rise up to £14.47 nationally and £15.20 within the M25, depending on length of service.

Aldi is the only major supermarket to offer paid breaks to all staff, which it says adds up to an extra £1,500 per year on average.

The company is also upgrading 25 existing stores this summer, including locations in Pitsea, Musselburgh, Kingston-upon-Thames and Stockton.

Aldi opened its first UK store in 1990 and now operates more than 1,080 stores nationwide, employing more than 43,000 people.

Asda to introduce major change in UK supermarkets this week

Asda is rolling out new electronic labels in 142 stores, with the changes going live this week.

Allergy and ingredient information will now be displayed on bakery products.

The supermarket chain will begin displaying the information on electronic shelf-edge labels in Asda Express stores that offer loose bakery products.

A total of 20 bakery items will be included in the scheme.

Tom Clark, retail operations manager at Asda, said: “I have a proud moment to share.

“Today marks the successful launch of Natasha’s Law allergen and calorie information for bakery products on Vusion electronic shelf-edge labels across over 140 Asda Express stores.

“This is a significant step forward in making food information clearer, more accessible, and compliant for our customers; helping them make informed and safe choices every day.”

A spokesperson for Asda said: “Our electronic shelf-edge labels help us to quickly and easily display important product information for our customers.

“Customers can quickly view ingredient and allergen information for bakery items.

“This will help them make informed choices and improve the shopping experience while also supporting our compliance with the requirements of Natasha’s Law.”

Natasha’s Law was introduced in October 2021 in memory of 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who died after eating a Pret a Manger baguette containing undeclared sesame seeds.

The legislation requires all food prepared and packaged on site to include a full list of ingredients and emphasise the top 14 allergens.

Loose bakery products do not have packaging, so this information must be provided through other means.

No scanning or QR codes are required.