If you’ve searched for Cath Kidston recently, you’ve probably noticed the old standalone shops have gone. Cath Kidston is now owned by Next, and the easiest way to buy it in the UK is through next.co.uk/cathkidston or the standalone store at Westfield London White City. The brand went through two rounds of administration between 2020 and 2023, which is why so many people assume it’s closed for good.
It hasn’t. Here’s what actually happened, where the range lives now, what things cost, and the mistakes worth avoiding if you’re buying for the first time in a while.
What Happened to Cath Kidston?
Cath Kidston launched in 1993 from a single shop in Holland Park, built its name on floral prints and vintage-style homeware, and grew to over 130 stores worldwide at its peak. The pandemic hit hard: the company filed for administration in April 2020 and closed all 60 UK stores, with private equity firm Baring Private Equity Asia (BPEA) buying the brand out of administration that same year.
A second insolvency followed in 2022 under Hilco Capital, closing most remaining shops. In March 2023, retail giant Next bought the Cath Kidston intellectual property for £8.5 million in a pre-pack administration deal, according to reporting at the time from the BBC and Retail Week. Next relaunched the brand online and, in October 2024, opened a standalone Cath Kidston store at Westfield London White City, its first UK bricks-and-mortar location since the brand’s collapse.
Where to Buy Cath Kidston in the UK Today
Next.co.uk
The full current range sits at next.co.uk/cathkidston, split into home, women’s fashion, childrenswear, and bags and purses. This is the only place guaranteed to stock the newest prints and collaborations, including recent ranges with Paddington and Tokidoki.
The Westfield London Store
If you’d rather browse in person, the Westfield London White City store is currently the sole standalone Cath Kidston shop in the UK. Cath Kidston products also appear within some Next department store concessions, though stock varies by location, so it’s worth checking with your local branch before travelling.
Other Stockists and Resale Sites
Independent gift shops, homeware retailers and department stores occasionally stock select Cath Kidston lines under licence, and older stock turns up on Vinted, eBay and in charity shops. These can be good for discontinued prints, but they come with the buyer-beware issues covered further down.
What Does Cath Kidston Cost?
Prices vary by category and print, but here’s roughly what to expect based on current Next listings:
- Mugs and mug sets: typically £12 to £20
- Tea towels and small kitchen textiles: around £8 to £15
- Tote bags and cross-body bags: roughly £30 to £70, with some premium styles reaching £90
- Cushions and home accessories: generally £20 to £40
- Children’s nightwear and pyjamas: usually £18 to £28
- Bedding sets: commonly £35 to £65 depending on size
These figures move around with sales and seasonal ranges, so treat them as a guide rather than fixed pricing, and check the live price on next.co.uk before you order.
How to Buy Cath Kidston: Step by Step
- Browse by category first, not by print, since Next organises the range into home, fashion, childrenswear and bags rather than one single catalogue.
- Check the material listing on bags carefully. Some totes use genuine oilcloth (wipeable, more durable), while others are cotton or polyester blends, which affects both price and how the item wears.
- Compare prints across collections. Limited runs like the Paddington or Tokidoki collaborations sell out faster than the core floral ranges, so decide quickly if you want a specific one.
- Add items to a Next account for next-day delivery, which is generally faster and cheaper than ordering from smaller third-party stockists.
- Check return policy before buying gifts. Next’s standard 28-day return window applies to Cath Kidston items bought through next.co.uk, but licensed items sold elsewhere may follow that retailer’s own policy instead.
Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Cath Kidston
Assuming the old standalone shops still exist. Most of the shops people remember from the 2010s closed permanently between 2020 and 2023. Turning up expecting a high street branch outside London will usually end in disappointment.
Buying from unverified resale listings is the other big risk. Counterfeit “Cath Kidston” print items do circulate on some marketplaces, particularly bags and purses, so check seller reviews and compare stitching and print quality against official product photos before paying.
A few other things worth watching:
- Don’t assume every floral print item you see is genuine Cath Kidston. Several other brands use similar ditsy florals, and it’s easy to mix them up in search results.
- Don’t skip the fabric description on bags. Oilcloth totes and cotton canvas totes look similar in photos but behave very differently in daily use.
- Don’t buy childrenswear on adult sizing instinct. Cath Kidston’s kids’ sizing runs on age bands rather than standard UK clothing sizes, so check the size guide on the product page first.
Cath Kidston Sales and Discounts
Next runs its Cath Kidston stock through the same seasonal sale calendar as the rest of its range, including the January and end-of-season summer sales, when discounts on homeware and bags commonly reach 30 to 50%. Clearance items also appear on the Next Clearance pages year-round, which is worth checking if you’re not fussed about buying the newest print.
FAQS
Is Cath Kidston still in business?
Yes. Next bought the brand’s intellectual property in March 2023 and now sells the full range through next.co.uk/cathkidston, alongside a standalone store at Westfield London White City that opened in October 2024.
Are Cath Kidston shops still open?
Only one standalone UK shop currently operates, at Westfield London White City. The dozens of high street stores that existed before 2020 closed permanently during the brand’s two rounds of administration.
Is Cath Kidston expensive?
It sits in the mid-range for UK homeware and accessories. Mugs and small textiles start around £8 to £15, while bags typically run £30 to £70, similar in price to comparable high street brands like Radley or Joules.
Who owns Cath Kidston now?
Next Plc owns the brand, having bought the intellectual property out of administration for £8.5 million in March 2023. Cath Kidston, the original founder, is no longer involved in the business.
Where can I buy genuine Cath Kidston online?
Next.co.uk/cathkidston is the official source for current-season stock in the UK. Licensed stockists and department store concessions also carry select items, but always check for an official licensing statement if buying from a smaller retailer.
Is it safe to buy Cath Kidston secondhand?
It can be, particularly for discontinued prints, but check listing photos closely for stitching quality and compare the print against official product images, since counterfeit listings do exist on some resale platforms.
Does Cath Kidston still make homeware, not just bags?
Yes, homeware remains a core part of the range, including mugs, bedding, cushions, kitchen textiles and lighting, all sold through the Next-owned Cath Kidston range.
