Popular retailer in Kildare Village is placed in administration

Womenswear retailer LK Bennett, which has a store in Kildare Village, has been placed into administration, potentially putting jobs at risk.

The high-end retailer, which has Kate Middleton as one of its VIP customers, has five outlets in Ireland - including in Dundrum Town Centre and in Brown Thomas and Arnotts.

It has 41 stores in the UK, including two in Northern Ireland.

Famous for its signature kitten heels, which start at £175 (€203) per pair, the company was founded by the entrepreneur Linda Bennett in 1990.

Ms Bennett regained full control of the business last year and later hired advisers to look at restructuring options, which included a potential sale.

The company filed notice of intention to appoint an administrator earlier this month.

The most recent accounts filed show the business made an operating loss of £5.9 million in the year to 29 July 2017.