Christy & Co. Limited, a historic fashion retailer based in Witney, Oxfordshire, has officially entered voluntary liquidation. The firm, which has been in business since 1773, announced the decision in a public record entry published by The Gazette on February 12, 2025. Shareholders approved the company’s wind-up at a virtual general meeting, marking the end of a legacy spanning over 250 years.

End of an Era for a Historic Brand

The firm, known for its iconic Christys hat brand, was founded in 1773 and became a staple of British fashion and craftsmanship. The liquidation comes after a period of financial strain, with the company already having sold its sister brand, CW Headress, to a Liverpool-based firm in 2024. This move effectively split the original business, contributing to its eventual insolvency.

The Gazette entry confirms that the company is undergoing a creditors’ voluntary liquidation, with insolvency specialists Yiannis Koumettou and Amie Helen Johnson of BTG Begbies Traynor (Central) LLP in Northampton appointed as joint liquidators. This process involves the formal winding down of the company’s operations, with the goal of distributing remaining assets to creditors.

Despite the company’s liquidation, the Christys brand itself is not being abandoned. London-based hatmaker Laird Hatters has stepped in to acquire the brand, aiming to preserve its legacy in the fashion industry. Alex Torun-Shaw, co-owner of Laird Hatters with his wife Zofia, confirmed that the firm was contacted late last year about the potential acquisition of the Christys brand, even as the original company was already insolvent.

Preserving a Legacy, Relocating the Brand

According to Torun-Shaw, the decision to acquire the brand was both a privilege and a responsibility. He stated, ‘We would have loved to have kept Christys in Witney, but we’re a small team at Laird and logistically it just wasn’t possible in the end.’ The brand, which has been a part of British manufacturing history for over 250 years, will now be relocated to London.

Laird Hatters already operates a shop in Oxford, which dates back to the 13th century, and plans to rebrand and relocate Christys under its umbrella. Torun-Shaw described the process as ‘a whirlwind,’ noting that the firm has had to work quickly to revive the historic brand.

‘The last four months have really been a whirlwind, being tasked with rejuvenating this famous brand,’ he said. ‘We were always confident that we had our own workshops, so we knew what we could do, and we’ve worked with our cloth and felt suppliers for many years. But we’re a small team at Laird and have had to play catch-up pretty quickly.’

Torun-Shaw also emphasized that Laird Hatters is starting fresh with the brand, with no direct connection to the previous owner. ‘On taking on the brand, IP and domains, we’ve had to start from scratch,’ he said. ‘We have no connection with the previous owner of the brand.’

Implications for the Fashion Industry

The liquidation of Christy & Co. highlights the ongoing challenges faced by traditional fashion retailers in an increasingly digital and globalized market. The company, which once stood as a symbol of British craftsmanship, was unable to sustain its operations amid rising costs, competition from fast fashion, and a decline in demand for bespoke hats.

Analysts have noted that the decline of traditional fashion houses is not unique to Christy & Co. Similar cases include the liquidation of other historic British brands, such as the collapse of the Debenhams department store chain in 2020 and the bankruptcy of British fashion retailer BHS in 2016. These events underscore the difficulty of maintaining a legacy business in a rapidly changing retail landscape.

According to the British Retail Consortium, the UK retail sector has faced a 15% decline in foot traffic in the past five years, with online sales now accounting for over 20% of total retail sales. This shift has put pressure on traditional retailers to adapt or risk obsolescence.

For consumers, the loss of Christy & Co. represents more than just the end of a brand—it is the loss of a piece of British cultural heritage. The brand’s signature felt hats, once a staple of formal wear, have become increasingly rare, with many younger generations opting for more modern, mass-produced alternatives.

The future of the Christys brand under Laird Hatters remains uncertain. The new owners have expressed a commitment to reviving the brand through a new collection and an online launch, but the success of this endeavor will depend on their ability to capture the attention of a new generation of customers.

Torun-Shaw added, ‘We will start with a new collection and launch online, and plan to grow slowly. I know that Christys had an extensive list of clients, but very little information from the old company came across to us.’

The liquidation of Christy & Co. serves as a cautionary tale for traditional retailers struggling to adapt to the modern marketplace. While the brand may live on under new ownership, the closure of the original company marks the end of an era in British fashion history.