Leading Labels has closed — shop the same brands at outlet prices below
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About Leading Labels
Leading Labels was a York-based multi-brand fashion outlet retailer founded in 1993, selling discounted men's and women's clothing from big-name brands across the UK and Ireland. At its peak the chain ran around 30 well-established out-of-town and in-town outlets with over 200 employees, in large modern stores ranging from 5,000 to 11,000 sq ft. Its proposition was simple and enduring: real value on brands you can trust — a curated mix of menswear, womenswear, fashion accessories, fragrances and gifts at outlet prices. After 33 years in business, Leading Labels entered liquidation in May 2026 and all 15 remaining stores are now closing.
Has Leading Labels Closed Down?
Yes. Leading Labels has entered liquidation, with Jeremy Bleazard of XL Business Solutions Limited appointed as liquidator on 26 May 2026. All 15 of the chain's remaining UK stores are closing, with closing-down and clearance sales already underway. The collapse followed an earlier strike-off notice and overdue accounts at Companies House — the company failed to file accounts due in November 2025. The Leading Labels website has stopped working, and the brand now joins a long list of UK fashion retailers to fall in 2025–2026 amid weak consumer spending, rising costs, and intense competition from online fast-fashion platforms such as Shein and Temu.
Leading Labels Liquidation Sales
With the business in liquidation, closing-down sales are running across all 15 Leading Labels stores while remaining stock is cleared. Discounts typically deepen as a liquidation progresses and stock thins out, so ranges, sizes and the best-known brands sell through quickly. Once a store's stock is gone, that branch closes for good. If you are looking for the same brands Leading Labels carried — in full size runs and with stock guaranteed — the most reliable option now is to shop branded outlet fashion online (see where to shop now below).
Who Owned Leading Labels?
Leading Labels was founded in 1993 by retailers with long careers in the trade, and was registered as Leading Labels Ltd (company number 02779812), based at Unit 2, Millfield Lane Trading Estate, Nether Poppleton, North Yorkshire, YO26 6PB. In January 2021, after a COVID-hit trading year and as the original shareholders sought a solvent exit, the business was acquired by turnaround specialist Baaj Capital in a sale advised by Quantuma. Baaj Capital is the same investment group behind a portfolio of value retail names including Blue Inc, The Original Factory Shop and In The Style. Under Baaj ownership the chain continued trading and even opened new stores — but ultimately could not overcome the structural pressures facing bricks-and-mortar discount fashion.
Brands Leading Labels Stocked
Leading Labels built its name on stocking genuine branded clothing at outlet prices. Its menswear brands included Ben Sherman, Carson, Calvin Klein, Crew Clothing, Double Two, Duck & Cover, Farah, Gabicci, Lizard King, Old Guys Rule, Pringle, Tog24 and Wrangler. Its womenswear brands included Alexara, Bassini, Brakeburn, Camille, Crew Clothing, Emreco, HJ Hall, Izabel, Jessica Graff, Joules, Just Elegance, Klass, Lee, Nougat London, Regatta and Saloos. Most of these brands remain widely available from branded outlet retailers online today.
Where to Shop Now: Branded Outlet Fashion Online
For shoppers looking for the same combination of genuine big-name brands at outlet prices, M&M Direct is the closest direct alternative to Leading Labels. It is one of the UK's largest branded fashion discount retailers, carrying many of the exact labels Leading Labels stocked — including Wrangler, Lee, Crew Clothing, Farah, Calvin Klein and Regatta — at outlet-level prices, online, with full size ranges and next-day delivery. Because it is an online clearance specialist rather than a single store, stock and sizing are far more reliable than a winding-down liquidation sale.
Other Branded Outlet Alternatives
Beyond M&M Direct, similar branded fashion at discount prices is available through Sports Direct and House of Fraser Outlet (huge branded ranges), The Original Factory Shop (value branded clothing, and a fellow Baaj Capital name), TK Maxx (discounted designer and brand stock), Brand Alley and Secret Sales (online flash-sale branded fashion). For pre-owned branded pieces at the lowest prices, eBay UK, Vinted and Depop carry large volumes of the brands Leading Labels sold.
Leading Labels Store Closures — Full List
All 15 stores closing · Closing-down sales underway
BasildonClosing down
BoltonClosing down
BostonClosing down
CarlisleClosing down
Chesterfield (Barlborough)Closing down
CleethorpesClosing down
CumbernauldClosing down
EveshamClosing down
HornseaClosing down
Ipswich (Sailmaker's)Closing down
KidderminsterClosing down
LincolnClosing down
Loch Lomond Shores (Balloch)Closing down
NorwichClosing down
StevenageClosing down
Brands Once Stocked at Leading Labels
Find the same labels at outlet prices
Branded Outlet Alternatives
| Retailer | Type | Specialism | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leading Labels | Outlet chain | Branded menswear & womenswear | Closed 2026 |
| M&M Direct | Online outlet | Branded fashion & footwear | Yes |
| Sports Direct | High street + online | Branded sports & fashion | Yes |
| House of Fraser Outlet | Online outlet | Designer & brand clearance | Yes |
| The Original Factory Shop | Value chain | Branded clothing & home | Yes |
| TK Maxx | Off-price chain | Designer & brand stock | Yes |
| Brand Alley | Online flash sale | Branded fashion events | Yes |
| Blue Inc | Value menswear | Menswear basics | Limited |
Leading Labels Timeline: 1993–2026
- 1993Leading Labels is founded by experienced retailers, building a chain of out-of-town and in-town branded fashion outlets selling men's and women's clothing at discounted prices.
- 1990s–2010sThe chain grows into one of the UK's larger multi-brand fashion outlet retailers, operating around 30 stores of 5,000–11,000 sq ft with over 200 employees across the UK and Ireland.
- 2020COVID-19 hits bricks-and-mortar retail hard; with the business reliant on physical stores, trading is significantly constrained and the original shareholders seek a solvent exit.
- 12 January 2021Turnaround specialist Baaj Capital acquires Leading Labels in a deal advised by Quantuma, completed in just over four weeks, with plans to modernise operations.
- 2022Under new ownership the chain opens new stores, including a unit in Wigan's Grand Arcade and an Ipswich store in Sailmaker's, in the former TopShop/TopMan building.
- November 2025Leading Labels Ltd fails to file accounts due at Companies House — an early sign of mounting financial pressure.
- 10 March 2026A strike-off notice is filed, indicating the company could be dissolved within two months unless action is taken.
- 26 May 2026Jeremy Bleazard of XL Business Solutions Limited is appointed liquidator. All 15 remaining stores are confirmed to be closing.
- June 2026Closing-down and clearance sales run across all stores; the Leading Labels website goes offline. After 33 years, the brand winds down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Leading Labels still trading?
No. Leading Labels has entered liquidation, with Jeremy Bleazard of XL Business Solutions Limited appointed as liquidator on 26 May 2026. All 15 remaining UK stores are closing, closing-down sales are underway, and the Leading Labels website has stopped working. For the same brands at outlet prices, M&M Direct is the closest online alternative.
What happened to Leading Labels?
Leading Labels, founded in 1993, entered liquidation in May 2026 after years of pressure on bricks-and-mortar discount fashion. The company had failed to file accounts due in November 2025 and received a strike-off notice in March 2026 before a liquidator was appointed on 26 May 2026. All 15 remaining stores are closing. The collapse reflects a wider wave of UK fashion retailer failures driven by weak consumer spending, rising costs and online competition from platforms like Shein and Temu.
Who owned Leading Labels?
Leading Labels Ltd (company number 02779812) was a York-based business, registered at Unit 2, Millfield Lane Trading Estate, Nether Poppleton, North Yorkshire, YO26 6PB. It was founded in 1993 by experienced retailers and was acquired in January 2021 by turnaround specialist Baaj Capital — the same investment group behind value retail names including Blue Inc, The Original Factory Shop and In The Style.
Is there a Leading Labels liquidation or closing-down sale?
Yes. Closing-down and clearance sales are running across all 15 Leading Labels stores as the business is wound down. Discounts generally deepen as stock clears, but ranges, sizes and the most popular brands sell through quickly, and each store closes once its stock is gone. For the same brands in full size runs with guaranteed stock, branded outlet sites such as M&M Direct are the most reliable option.
Which Leading Labels stores are closing?
All 15 remaining Leading Labels stores are closing: Basildon, Bolton, Boston, Carlisle, Chesterfield (Barlborough), Cleethorpes, Cumbernauld, Evesham, Hornsea, Ipswich (Sailmaker's), Kidderminster, Lincoln, Loch Lomond Shores (Balloch), Norwich and Stevenage.
Is the Leading Labels Cleethorpes store closing?
Yes. The Leading Labels Cleethorpes store is one of all 15 branches closing as part of the liquidation, with a closing-down sale underway. Once remaining stock is cleared, the store will close permanently.
Does Leading Labels have a website or online shop?
The original Leading Labels website (leading-labels.com) has stopped working following the liquidation, and there is no longer a functioning Leading Labels online shop. For the same brands online — including Wrangler, Lee, Crew Clothing, Farah and Calvin Klein — M&M Direct is the closest direct alternative.
What brands did Leading Labels sell?
Leading Labels stocked genuine branded clothing at outlet prices. Menswear included Ben Sherman, Carson, Calvin Klein, Crew Clothing, Double Two, Duck & Cover, Farah, Gabicci, Lizard King, Old Guys Rule, Pringle, Tog24 and Wrangler. Womenswear included Alexara, Bassini, Brakeburn, Camille, Crew Clothing, Emreco, HJ Hall, Izabel, Jessica Graff, Joules, Just Elegance, Klass, Lee, Nougat London, Regatta and Saloos.
Where can I buy the same brands as Leading Labels now?
The closest direct alternative for branded fashion at outlet prices is M&M Direct, which carries many of the exact labels Leading Labels stocked. Other strong options include Sports Direct, House of Fraser Outlet, The Original Factory Shop, TK Maxx and Brand Alley. For pre-owned branded pieces, eBay UK, Vinted and Depop carry large volumes of the same brands.
Was Leading Labels connected to Blue Inc?
Yes — through ownership. Both Leading Labels and the menswear brand Blue Inc sit within the portfolio of turnaround investor Baaj Capital, which acquired Leading Labels in January 2021. The two brands shared some store locations, with combined Leading Labels and Blue Inc units opening in centres such as Wigan's Grand Arcade.
Who is the liquidator of Leading Labels?
Jeremy Bleazard of XL Business Solutions Limited was appointed liquidator of Leading Labels Ltd on 26 May 2026. Companies House records show the company had overdue accounts and had received a strike-off notice before the liquidation.