Cath Kidston: Jobs at risk as Next buys brand

Administrators from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) are set close the four UK Cath Kidston stores – in London, Ashford, Cheshire Oaks and York.

Next has taken on the name and intellectual property but not Cath Kidston’s four shops across the UK.

PwC said the shops would stay open while "operations are wound down", but confirmed there would be redundancies.

It did not say how many would be immediately impacted.

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Cath Kidston, known for its kitsch floral designs, had been hit by the "decline in consumer spending driven by cost-of-living pressures and rising costs," administrator Zelf Hussain said.

Zelf Hussain, joint administrator and partner at PwC, said: “Cath Kidston is a well-loved lifestyle brand founded in 1993 and I am pleased to say that it has been bought by Next who will make sure it continues to flower under their ownership.

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“The company has over recent years navigated through incredibly challenging market conditions including the pandemic restrictions, and most recently the decline in consumer spending driven by cost of living pressures and rising costs.

“In the short term its four stores will continue to remain open whilst operations are wound down.

“Sadly, there will be redundancies during this period of wind down and we will continue to support the staff throughout this period.”

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Next has been acquiring struggling brands like Joules and Made.com.

Next started selling Gap clothing online in late 2021 too, after it took over the running of the high street brand.

Cath Kidston collapsed in 2020 with 60 stores closing and more than 900 jobs lost with immediate effect at that time.

The brand  called in administrators as part of an attempted rescue deal by Hong Kong-based Baring Private Equity Asia.