Reprieve for sailing brand Henri Lloyd
Five Henri Lloyd stores have been saved, along with stock and assets after the sailing clothing brand went into administration.
Aligro UK Limited has agreed to buy shops at Salcombe, Dartmouth, Cowes, Cheshire Oaks and Lymington, securing the jobs of 38 store staff and six employees at Henri Lloyd’s head office in Manchester.
The clothing company blamed ‘challenging trading conditions on the high street’ for the administration, which has left 128 staff redundant. Stores in Falmouth, Truro, Street and Swindon have closed, along with the 20 House of Fraser concessions.
In March Swedish investor, Aligro Group, agreed to buy the Henri Lloyd brand and trademarks to revitalise the firm, which was struggling financially, and had already taken steps to reduce costs. Despite this, the sailing brand went into administration in June.
Aligro believes maintaining Henri Lloyd’s presence in five key locations will help regenerate the business.
The founder of the Aligro Group, Hans Eckerström, said: ‘I am a passionate sailor and Henri Lloyd is a brand that will always have a special place in my heart. I have great hope that we can come back shortly with more positive information to customers, partners and Henri Lloyd fans around the world and present a plan for the future.’
Henri Lloyd was co-founded in 1963 in Manchester by Polish born fashion designer Henri Strzelecki and Angus Lloyd. The brand was known for introducing new technologies and textiles in its clothing, including Gore-Tex.