Update as John Lewis firm in £3.8m administration with UK jobs lost

The administrators from bk plus ltd have released an update after it was announced that John Lewis of Hungerford was in financial trouble.

In the update they explain why the bespoke kitchen and cabinet business has struggled and confirm details of the sale to Rebecca Taylor Associates Limited.

They said: “Andreas Arakapiotis and Simon Wall of bk plus were appointed Joint Administrators of John Lewis of Hungerford Limited on 7 July 2026.

READ MORE: UK jobs ‘lost’ as John Lewis firm collapses with £3.8m debts

“Unfortunately, given rise in costs of manufacturing and the continued cost of living crisis, trading conditions remain very tough and margins continued to be eroded.

“Following a sales process, parts of the business were sold via a pre-packaged administration sale safeguarding 22 jobs.

“The Joint Administrators are working with their appointed agents to maximise realisations in respect of the remaining assets for the benefit of creditors.

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

“The buyer was Rebecca Taylor Associates Limited, a company owned by the director of John Lewis of Hungerford Limited.

“Unfortunately, 21 people were made redundant.

“The sale was completed on the 7 July, immediately following the appointment of administrators.”

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 Fulham (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.

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

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

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

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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.”

However, it seems the year did not go as expected, as it fell into administration earlier this month.