MORE THAN 100 JOBS GO IN LK BENNETT RESCUE

OVER a third of LK Bennett’s UK stores will close with the loss of more than 100 jobs after the company was sold.

The fashion chain, a favourite of the Duchess of Cambridge (pictured wearing one of the company’ s silk cream and green polka dot dress dresses ), crashed into administration last month as it fell victim to the crisis on the High Street.

Its headquarters, 21 stores and all of its concessions have been bought by a new company called Byland UK, saving 325 jobs.

But 15 stores – including in London, Bath, Glasgow, Oxford, York, Belfast, Birmingham, St Albans and Gloucester – will close with the loss of 110 jobs.

Some 55 jobs have already been cut after five stores closed immediately following the administration, while staff numbers at the company’s head office were reduced.

Byland is owned by Rebecca Feng, who runs LK Bennett’s Chinese franchises.

Feng said: ‘Under our plan, the business will continue to operate out of the UK, looking to maintain the long-standing and undoubted heritage of the brand.’ ÷ BONMARCHE has rebuffed a £5.7m takeover offer tabled by Edinburgh Woollen Mill owner Philip Day.

The womenswear retailer said the offer ‘materially undervalues’ the company.