Laura Ashley Saved From Administration

Published on : 2nd November, 2026
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Originally published in 2020. Re-edited and updated for clarity.

Laura Ashley Rescued From Administration by Gordon Brothers

British fashion and homeware brand Laura Ashley has been rescued from administration after restructuring and investment firm Gordon Brothers acquired its global brand, archives and intellectual property.

The deal follows the retailer’s collapse into administration after it failed to secure emergency funding amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Gordon Brothers plans to develop Laura Ashley’s online business, strengthen its wholesale partnerships and expand its network of licensees and franchisees internationally. The firm is also considering retaining a smaller number of stores across the UK and Ireland.

The collapse has already resulted in 268 redundancies among head office and back-office staff, while a further 1,669 store employees have been furloughed.

Laura Ashley had been struggling financially before the pandemic, with the coronavirus outbreak adding further pressure to the business.

The acquisition secures the future of the Laura Ashley brand, although the future of its remaining retail stores and employees remains uncertain.

Readers Guide To the Administration Process

Since Laura Ashley has gone into administration here is a quick guide to the legal realities of the administration process.

The Process: Administration is a legal “moratorium” that protects insolvent companies from creditor action. Licensed Insolvency Practitioners take control to either rescue the business or sell its assets to achieve a better result than immediate closure.

Who gets paid? There is a strict legal queue. Secured lenders (banks) and “preferential” creditors (employees and HMRC) are paid first. Unsecured creditors, including trade suppliers and customers, are at the back of the line and often receive nothing.

Employees: Redundancies often occur in the first 14 days. After this window, the administrator “adopts” remaining contracts, making ongoing wages a priority. Unpaid redundancy or notice pay can usually be claimed through the government’s Redundancy Payments Service.

Suppliers & Customers: Suppliers should negotiate “pro-forma” (upfront) terms for any new orders. For customers, gift cards and deposits are rarely honored. However, if you paid over £100 via credit card, you may be able to claim a refund under Section 75.

Written ByRobert Moore

Insolvency Advisor & Content Lead

+447584583884

Rob has spent over twenty years on the front line of the UK restructuring sector, acting as a trusted first point of contact for many worried company directors. If you are facing aggressive creditor pressure or dealing with bailiff threats, Rob can talk to you through your options clearly

Rob is now working with the Board at RMT to develop strategic marketing programmes to support the business plan and drive more company rescues.

Robert Moore

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