Interpath Advisory completes sale of Hotter Shoes to Woolovers

Interpath Advisory has secured the future of footwear retailer Hotter Shoes following a sale of the business to the Woolovers Group.

Will Wright and Rick Harrison from Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators of Beaconsfield Footwear Limited, trading as ‘Hotter Shoes’, on 18 July 2023.

Headquartered in Skelmersdale, the company is a retailer of footwear and the main trading subsidiary of AIM-listed Unbound Group PLC.

The company had been “adversely affected by difficult trading conditions in the retail environment, and despite taking steps to address costs across the business, creditor pressure continued to increase”. As a result, Interpath Advisory was engaged to examine the options available to the company.

Following an extensive exploration of options, Interpath stated that it would not be possible to conclude a transaction on a solvent basis and as such, the directors took steps to seek the appointment of administrators.
Immediately following Interpath’s appointment, the joint administrators concluded a sale of the business and certain assets to an entity controlled by Woolovers Group Limited.

As part of the sale, all 421 employees and 27 stores and concessions have transferred across to the purchaser.

Wright, head of Restructuring at Interpath Advisory and joint administrator, said: “High cost inflation and fragile consumer confidence is starting to place mounting pressure on companies up and down the high street.”

Jack Brazier, director at Interpath Advisory who advised on the transaction, added: “We’re pleased to have concluded this transaction which safeguards the future of the Hotter business, and wish Woolovers Group all the very best for the future.”