Oxford News
All stores close as UK fashion retailer in administration
LK Bennett, the womenswear brand founded in London in 1990, entered administration on January 27, 2026, when joint administrators were appointed to oversee the business.
Immediately afterwards, the retailer’s brand and intellectual property were sold to a company affiliated with Gordon Brothers, but its stores and concessions were not included in the transaction.
At the time, the company continued trading through nine standalone stores and 13 concessions across the UK and Ireland while administrators wound down the retail operation.
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson launches emotional plea to the public
Those concessions included a department inside John Lewis at Westgate Oxford shopping centre.
Administrators initially expected the remaining stores and concessions to continue trading for up to three months before closing.
However, reports later suggested stock sold out faster than expected, leading to some LK Bennett stores closing ahead of schedule.
Some concession locations continued operating briefly while remaining stock was cleared.
The retailer later confirmed that all stores had closed, with its website displaying a notice stating that its “website and stores are now closed”.
READ MORE: Co-star reveals what Rowan Atkinson is really like away from the cameras
As of August 2026, no LK Bennett stock can be found inside the John Lewis store at Oxford Westgate, marking the end of the fashion chain’s physical presence in the city.
Before its closure, LK Bennett operated concessions within a number of department stores, including John Lewis branches in Oxford, Manchester, Edinburgh, High Wycombe and London’s Oxford Street.
The retailer launched a series of clearance sales following the administration.
In March, reports said products across the business were being sold at discounts of at least 60 per cent as administrators sought to clear remaining stock and prepare stores for closure.
The disappearance of LK Bennett from Britain’s high streets comes during a challenging period for the retail sector, with a number of well-known chains announcing store closures or restructuring plans in recent months.
Oxford Mushroom Farm is hosting a free-to-enter open day tomorrow between midday and 5pm.
Based at a previously unused patch of land beside Hinksey Heights Golf Club, the business opened earlier this summer with the aim of providing fresh gourmet fungi to homes and businesses across Oxfordshire.
READ MORE: New ‘high-quality’ mushroom business launched in Oxford
Steve Hart, the owner, has said – like the mushrooms – the company is “growing” and now he is having an open day in the hopes of enticing more fungi enthusiasts.
A lifelong Oxford local, who attended Cherwell School, he launched the farm in January 2024 with an ambition to transform unused ground into something productive.
After two years of balancing the project alongside a full-time job as a builder, landscaper and heating engineer, he officially opened the farm to the public in May.
Among the farm’s offering is Lion’s Mane, oyster, shiitake, speckled chestnut and other varieties of mushroom, with the businesses based around sustainability.
READ MORE: Oxfordshire police ‘welcome’ prime minister’s update on PC Harper killers
Premium mushroom substrates are produced using sawdust sourced as a natural by-product from sawmills in the mountains of Snowdonia, combined with pure Snowdon Mountain spring water in collaboration with North Wales-based growers Fungi Foods.
Alongside supplying fresh produce locally, Mr Hart is also interested in the emerging science of mycoremediation, an eco-friendly technique that uses fungi to help break down ground pollutants and restore damaged land.
He said: “My main goal is feeding Oxford, but also using science and mycoremediation to help heal polluted land and fly-tipping ground in Oxfordshire.”
Thames Valley Police has asked for the public’s help in finding Dominic as a neighbouring police force fear for his welfare.
A spokesperson said: “Can you help our colleagues at Warwick Police locate missing man Dominic?
READ MORE: Public told ‘DO NOT APPROACH’ as wanted man sighted in Oxford centre
“He has links to Yarnton.”
Warwickshire Police explained that the 56-year-old has not been seen since Friday morning and has urged anyone with any information to get in touch as soon as possible.
They added that he is around 5 foot 8 inches, has grey hair and is believed to be wearing a blue shirt, blue shorts and brown shoes.
A spokesperson for Warwickshire Police said: “Have you seen Dominic? He was last seen in the Cape Road area of Warwick at around 10.30am yesterday morning (Friday) but has not been seen since.
“Our officers are growing increasingly concerned for the 56-year-old’s welfare and urge anyone who sees him to get in touch.
READ MORE: Manhunt launched after ‘sexual assault’ at Oxford shopping centre
“Dominic is described as around 5ft 8” tall, with grey hair and is believed to be wearing a blue shirt, blue shorts and brown shoes.
“He has links to Warwick and Oxfordshire.
“Anyone who sees Dominic or knows where he might be is asked to call 999 quoting incident number 191 of 28 August.”
The Thames Valley Police Abingdon unit arrested a man for “breaching court bail conditions” on Saturday, August 29.
A spokesperson said: “On Saturday, PC Hackett attended reports of a male breaching court bail conditions.
READ MORE: Public told ‘DO NOT APPROACH’ as wanted man sighted in Oxford centre
“With assistance from PC Ellingworth and PC Harvey, the male was arrested. Following a search, a knife was recovered from his possession.”
In a wide ranging update, the force also revealed it had supported in a “concern for welfare incident linked to the night-time economy.
In addition, it had carried out licensing checks across Abingdon with drug wipes used and sent off for testing
-
Oxford News3 weeks agoTrain cancellation alert amid ‘fault’ near London Paddington
-
Oxford News2 weeks agoMuseum evacuated and Oxford University closed amid incident
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoBritish Business Bank backs PhysicsX with USD $25 million
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoNuggit launches GBP £5 million fund for UK YouTubers
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoMuscle Food at risk of closing after entering administration
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoHistoric town faces series of high street shop closures
-
Student Life4 weeks agoMy year of rest and rustication
-
Student Life4 weeks agoAcademic tourism: Oxford University and its summer schools