It has been confirmed that Manchester-based online fast fashion retailer Missguided has appointed administrators in attempts to save the brand.
The multi-channel fashion retailer – which sells clothes primarily aimed at 16-35 year old women, and had its headquarters based in Stretford before moving to Trafford Park in 2015 – was founded by Nitin Passi back in 2009 when he was just 26, and it grew grew into one of Britain’s biggest online-led fashion retailers alongside ASOS and fellow Manchester-based fast fashion brands, Boohoo and Pretty Little Thing.
But now, Missguided has asked Teneo Financial Advisory to sell its business and assets.
It comes after the business was issued with a winding-up petition by clothing suppliers, who are owed millions of pounds.
Teneo said Missguided will continue to trade while it looks for a buyer.
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Gavin Maher from Teneo said there was “a high level of interest from a number of strategic buyers”.
The Manchester-based online fast fashion retailer was founded in 2009 / Credit: Missguided
He added in a statement: “As we continue to see, the retail trading environment in the UK remains extremely challenging [and] the joint administrators will now seek to conclude a sale of the business and assets, for which there continues to be a high level of interest from a number of strategic buyers.”
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The company employs around 330 staff members, with The Guardian reporting that about 140 jobs are thought to be at risk, and the publication citing a source as saying that more than 80 people had immediately been made redundant.
Reports suggest that rival and larger online fashion retailer, Boohoo – which bought a number of collapsing high street brands during the COVID-19 pandemic – had been in talks to buy Missguided in a prepack administration deal, and JD Sports and ASOS are also thought to have shown some interest, but a deal was not made.
The fashion retail company moved its HQ to state-of-the-art offices in Trafford Park in 2015 / Credit: Google Maps
In efforts to pinpoint why Missguided was on the brink of collapse, industry professionals and marketing experts said not only were some rival brands better, cheaper, and faster, but that shoppers now care more about sustainability and less about fast throwaway fashion.
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Julie Palmer – a partner at insolvency firm Begbies Traynor – also told the i newspaper that the cost of living crisis means shoppers are cutting back on spending on non-essentials like the fast fashion Missguided offers.
She said: “While Missguided boomed when we were locked down with no opportunity to spend wages going out, the harsh realities of post-pandemic life are becoming clear.”
The company has now asked Teneo Financial Advisory to sell its business and assets / Credit: Missguided
Ms Palmer added: “Rising inflation and worries about the potential for a recession mean that people just aren’t willing to spend on what they don’t need.
“Hopefully a buyer will see the potential in this company that means its suppliers continue to find an outlet for their products.”
Featured Image – Channel 4
News
A Manchester barbershop is offering a ‘pay what you can’ service this month
Danny Jones
Amidst the tidal wave of January deals on food and drink in Manchester, a local barbers is championing their own ‘pay what you can’ offer to help people along this month.
Jefe’s Barbershop, located in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter, is one of the best barbers in the city centre, offering a wide variety of cuts and facial hair grooming services – they even offer a subscription service that helps people save money on regular trims.
That being said, they are well aware of those January blues and the mounting obstacles and anxieties that come with weeks of penny-pinching to make it to month’s end, as well as the general toll it can take on people’s mental health.
So this January, Jefe and his team are doing something different – as he puts it, “something special”: the barbershop is allowing customers to simply pay what they feel comfortable handing over and, in the case of those struggling, whatever they can afford.
It’s a simple gesture with a big purpose which helps ensure no one has to miss out on a feel-good moment or the confidence that comes from a fresh trim.
“All we do is laugh and joke about life—that’s why people come here,” Jefe explains. “I don’t want anyone to lose the chance to be present, to feel good, and to laugh with us.
“Men often need more help than they’re willing to let on and we want to be a helping hand they can rely on.” Now that’s a cause all of us can and should get behind.
Community support has remained at the core of Jefe’s Barbershop since the beginning when he swapped a basketball career for providing a much-needed service to Mancunian men.
From partnering with Manc sandwich shops and offering free haircuts for the homeless, to hosting street parties with local events companies and providing £5 trims to promote men’s mental health in 2023 when the cost of living crisis really kicked in – Jefe’s is always trying to make a difference in the area.
You’ve got to love businesses that go the extra mile.
If you want to make the most of this wholesome deal or just feel like you’re in need of a trim, you can book HERE or call them directly on 0161 818 7659.
The ‘pay what you can’ offer runs Monday to Thursday, 9am-7pm, subject to availability. You’ll find Jefe’s Barbershop on Stevenson Square
Because as the man himself puts it, “Everyone deserves to feel their best”.
Police appeal for witnesses after possible attempted kidnap of 11-year-old girl in Irlam
Emily Sergeant
An appeal for information and witnesses has been issued following the possible attempted kidnap of an 11-year-old girl in Irlam.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that at around 8:30am yesterday (14 January 2025), the young girl – who was walking to school at the time – reported being approached by a male and female on Silver Street in Irlam, close to the junction of Cutnook Lane.
It is believed the pair had been driving in the area in a car and a van, according to police.
The two then grabbed hold of the girl, before she was able to run away and later inform an adult of what had happened.
The male the police are hoping to gain information on is described as white, approximately 5ft 9 inches tall, with short dark hair and clean-shaven, and he was wearing blue jeans and a black hoodie at the time, while the female is described as white, and was wearing leggings and a black hoodie.
The car is described as a black four-door vehicle, while the van was small, white, and new-looking and with a sliding door.
#APPEAL | Detectives are appealing for information after a girl was approached and grabbed in Salford.
At around 8.30am today, an 11-year-old girl walking to school reported being approached by a male and female on Silver Street, Irlam.
In the interest of public safety while police are currently investigating the incident, extra officers have been deployed to the local area for reassurance as their enquiries continue, GMP has confirmed.
Appealing to the public, officers are also asking anyone who lives in the area to check for any relevant dashcam, CCTV, or doorbell footage from around the time of the incident, and anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious is also asked to contact police.
“This is of course a concerning and distressing incident and I would like to reassure the community that we are doing all we can to investigate the circumstances,” explained Detective Inspector Justin Bryant, from GMP’s Salford district.
“We are keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed something or has footage from around the time of the incident, and we would urge anyone with any information to please get in touch, as your assistance could be greatly beneficial to our work.
“We are ensuring that the girl and the family are being kept-up-to date and supported at this time.”
Information can be passed on to 101 or via the GMP Live Chat service at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 1205 of 14/01/25, or alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Emily Sergeant -
31st May 2022 
