Fashion retailer Jack Wills has one of its shops seized over spat with landlord on non-payment of rent

  • The St Albans store was closed on Friday and a notice placed in its window
  • A spokeswoman said that the situation was an 'unfortunate misunderstanding'
  • She said the landlord did not receive the payment through an error 

By Neil Craven for The Mail on Sunday

Updated:

Fashion retailer Jack Wills has had one of its properties seized by its landlord over non-payment of rent

Fashion retailer Jack Wills has had one of its properties seized by its landlord over non-payment of rent.

The St Albans store was closed on Friday and a notice placed in its window saying the 'lease had been forfeited and the premises have been secured'. 

The notice said the landlord 'intends to immediately re-let the premises'.

A spokeswoman for Jack Wills, which is up for sale amid warnings that trading has deteriorated in recent months, said that the situation was an 'unfortunate misunderstanding'.

She said the landlord did not receive the payment through an error and that the business in turn 'did not get notified' of non-payment. 

Jack Wills intends to resolve the situation quickly and begin trading again tomorrow, she said.

But the situation is unlikely to help ease concerns that the company is under financial pressure. 

It has struggled to reposition itself since demand for its 'preppy' style cooled off.

In its most recent accounts the chain, which has 100 stores in the UK, complained about 'challenging' trading conditions.

Owner BlueGem, a private equity firm, has appointed KPMG to look at options for the future including a potential sale amid speculation it is losing patience with turnaround efforts. 

Interested parties have included Crew Clothing, although it is understood to be no longer engaged in talks. Sources said Mike Ashley is also likely to be interested.

Founder Peter Williams left the business last summer and former Debenhams executive Suzanne Harlow was appointed to run it

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