Troubled footwear retailer Moda in Pelle has been served with a winding-up petition related to unpaid debts following reports that the company was reviewing its financial position, Retail Week has learned.
HM Revenue and Customs issued a notice last week to MIP Employees 1975, which is one of the companies under the Moda in Pelle umbrella and is responsible for the brandâs payroll.
A spokesperson for HMRC told Retail Week: âWe take a supportive approach to dealing with customers who have tax debts and only file winding-up petitions once weâve exhausted all other options, to protect taxpayersâ money.â
The winding-up petition follows an earlier report from Retail Week that Moda in Pelleâs majority owners had appointed advisers to âactively review the companyâs financial position, including its solvencyâ.
In a series of emails, dated April 29, 2026, two representatives of Moda in Pelleâs HR team said the business is âcurrently reviewing its financial position with external advisersâ.
The emails went on to say that the company was not âcurrently in a formal insolvency processâ but that âthe directors are taking professional advice and are actively reviewing the companyâs financial position, including its solvencyâ.
The emails also said: âThe current uncertainty applies to all outstanding payments, including statutory redundancy pay, notice pay, and any accrued holiday pay.â
Moda in Pelle was founded by Buck in 1975. It had several owners before being bought out of administration in a pre-pack deal by Buck in 2017, before he sold his majority stake to GlobalTech Corporation last year.
The retailer continues to trade from nine standalone stores and 19 concessions, including six John Lewis department stores.
Moda in Pelle has been contacted for comment.
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