Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
The joint administrators of Derbyshire retailer Bennetts (Irongate) Limited, which trades as Bennetts Department Store, have confirmed that the sale of the Bennetts name and all assets in the Derby store to London Sole Limited has been completed today (Thursday June 20).
Billed as ‘the oldest department store in the world’, Bennetts went into administration on February 8. It is located at 8 Iron Gate in Derby.
London Sole is part of a group of companies owned by Charles James Associates, whose other business interests include British footwear brand French Sole.
Paul Mallatratt, who was joint administrator – along with Louise Freestone – of Bridgewood Financial Solutions, said: “We are very pleased to have achieved a sale of the business in such challenging economic conditions, and to be able to handover the business to new long-term owners, who wish to ensure the iconic Bennetts brand continues to have a strong presence on Irongate.
“We look forward to seeing how Bennetts develops over the coming months and would like to thank the public and the staff for their continued support during the administration process.”
David Howick, director of London Sole, said: “We are delighted to take ownership of the iconic Bennetts store in Irongate and are proud to have acquired the store with its wealth of history and tradition. We are keen to revive and develop the store while ensuring everything that is loved about the Bennetts brand remains intact.”
