Alpkit chief executive David Hanney

Outdoors company Alpkit said it has secured its operating future by entering into a ‘pre-pack’ administration.

The move saved the jobs of 194 staff, it said, and enabled the Nottinghamshire-based outfit to keep its stores open and fulfil orders.

Dutch financier Jeroen van den Berge will become non-executive chair of Alpkit and will work with the existing managerial team. He was described as an experienced investor, operator and outdoor enthusiast.

The company said, in a statement: “Financially, times have been tough. We’ve faced a ‘triple threat’ of macro-economic pressures over the last three years: rapid cost inflation, a challenging retail environment, and new trade barriers while servicing post-pandemic recovery loans.

“Our board has worked extensively over recent months to explore options and find a way to secure our future. This work has resulted in our securing new investment via a pre-pack process. The pre-pack process means that Alpkit briefly went into administration so that the company could be purchased by our new investor.”

A pre-pack administration allows for the sale of a business to an investor as a going concern, without affecting the continuity of business operations on the appointment of an administrator who would otherwise have to find a buyer for the company.

Alpkit said: “We have written to all our shareholders to share the news that, by Alpkit being put into administration, they have lost the value of their shares.

“This is a story of mixed emotions: sadness that we have not been able to offer a return to our shareholders; regret that we’ve let down people who put their trust in us. Determination that we will make good on the next chapter of Alpkit, knowing that the new ownership means we become well funded, more resilient.”

It added that all existing crowdfund shareholders will be offered a stake in the new company.

In 2020 the company offered its customers the chance to buy shares in Alpkit, with 1,350 customers snapping up the offer within 43 minutes. It repeated the exercise in October 2022. More than 470,000 shares were held by the CrowdCube nominees, which organised these offers.

The company, which had a turnover of £15m in its most recent accounts, but the number of customers had declined by 5 per cent. Its auditors noted in October 2024 a net loss of almost £1.5m and six-monthly loan facilities, including one in February 2026, casting a significant doubt on the company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

The company’s stated strategy was to increase its margins by moving production to regions with lower costs.

It donated one per cent of its turnover to the charitable Alpkit Foundation and is a B Corp certified company and has won awards for quality.

Alpkit has built its reputation on quality and affordability

This week’s statement said: “The financial restructuring means that we can continue to do what we do – offering you technical outdoor gear that works hard but costs less.”

In April 2025, Alpkit bought the outdoor and travel bag brand Trakke.

Jeroen van den Berge, the new investment partner, said: “What excites me about Alpkit is the strong heritage and values, leading product credentials, direct-to-consumer model and loyal membership base.

“I also share the team’s vision of Alpkit becoming a home to other complimentary brands, similar to what was achieved with Trakke. I look forward to supporting David [Hanney, chief executive] and the team during the next phase of their exciting journey.”

The brand began in the Peak District in 2004, launched by four friends who, frustrated at the price of outdoor kit, decided to make and sell sustainable, technical kit at sensible prices.

David Hanney said on Wednesday: “While today is a day of reflection on the challenges that led to this restructure, and we deeply regret the impact on our creditors, partners and shareholders, it is also the start of a vital new chapter.”