A company behind a UK leather retailer has plunged into liquidation as stores across the UK have shut their doors for the last time, with one opened for 43 years
Several of the Lakeland Leather stores have closed (Image: Google Maps)
The company that operated a UK leather retailer has plunged into liquidation with several high street stores facing closures.
Felldale Retail, that operated several Lakeland Leather stores, has been voluntarily liquidated.
The business previously ran Lakeland Leather stores across the UK on behalf of Lakeland Fashion Limited, which owns the ‘Lakeland Leather’ heritage brand.
According to The Gazette Felldale Retail was placed into liquidation in May, following the closures of stores in Cumbria, including in Kendal and Carlisle.
A spokesperson for Lakeland Leather said: “I can confirm Lakeland Fashion has now placed its subsidiary, Felldale Retail Limited, into liquidation as part of an orderly wind-up of its affairs.
“Felldale had previously announced [the] closure of seven underperforming stores. Now the stores are closed, the liquidation phase is the next step and relates solely to the legacy store portfolio.
“It follows the strategic decision to exit physical locations that were no longer commercially viable in the current retail climate. The process allows the business to conclude this chapter in an orderly manner.”
The spokesperson added that Lakeland Fashion Limited ‘continues to trade profitably’ and is investing in its future.
This will see a push for the company’s digital business that has seen a ‘sustained growth’ in recent years.
The spokesperson added that the 12 remaining stores, operated by Lakeland Fashion directly, remain profitable and will not be closing.
However, elsewhere, several stores served customers for the last time.
These included shops in Gretna, Chester, Southport, York and Northallerton.
The Kendal store closure was announced in February and in May the 24 Stricklandgate shop stopped trading. To this day the unit remains empty.
There are notices on the door following the closure.
The message from the Lakeland Leather team, entitled ‘A heartfelt farewell to Kendal’ reads: “With a heavy heart, we are closing our Kendal store due to the ongoing economic challenges faced by small specialist retail groups such as ours.
“We want to thank you, our wonderful customers, for your loyalty, friendship and support over the past 43 years – Kendal has truly meant the world to us.
“Whilst it’s time for us to leave Kendal, you can shop with us online at lakelandleather.co.uk or visit one of our other retail and concessions stores.”