The previously closed Sk:n clinics are set to reopen following a deal in which Optical Express Group acquired owner Skn Group, along with Sk:n, The Harley Medical Group, Skinbrands, The Skin Experts and ABC Medical.
New social media channels were set up for Sk:n Clnics, and the group posted on September 12, "We are delighted to announce that our award winning sk:n clinics are reopening across the country."
Eye care specialists Optical Express Group completed the acquisition on July 26, with the company's chair and chief executive, David Moulsdale, releasing a statement on Optical Express Group's LinkedIn page.
Moulsdale said, "I am delighted to share the exciting news that on Friday 26th July 2024, we completed the acquisition of the following companies: The Harley Medical Group, sk:n, Skinbrands, The Skin Experts and ABC Medical."
Optical Express Group currently has over 100 clinics and Moulsdale plans to reduce the number of Skn Group clinic locations by transferring business to some of its own clinics.
Moulsdale said that Optical Express Group will offer the services of sk:n, The Harley Medical Group and ABC Medical from its locations in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Croatia and Slovenia.
Moulsdale went on to say, "We hope to re-recruit as many of the Harley Medical Group and Skn Group employees as possible, as we know that they are best placed to serve the existing and new patients.
"Over the coming days our HR and recruitment teams will be very focussed on this task and will be making contact with as many of these employees as possible. I am hopeful and quietly confident that many of them will choose to join us.
"Colleagues who wish to contact our team directly can do so via [email protected] or 01236 795146."
Skn Group ceases trading
The Skn Group, which owns sk:n, The Harley Medical Group, Skinbrands, The Skin Experts and ABC Medical, ceased trading on July 17, posting a statement on its website which read:
“It is with regret that we advise that the Skn Group, including sk:n, The Harley Medical Group, Skinbrands, The Skin Experts and ABC Medical has ceased trading as of 17th July. The Mole Clinic is a separate part of the group and continues to trade as normal.
“The company has undertaken an extensive process to secure investment to enable it to continue to trading, but sadly we have been unsuccessful.
“We recognise that this outcome will have a significant impact on our team members and customers, and we are deeply sorry for the stress and inconvenience this has caused. We are doing all we can to address the concerns of those affected. We will be contacting all clients still awaiting test results as soon as possible. All further updates will be provided on this website as and when available.”
Sk:n runs more than 60 aesthetics clinics across the UK with over 450 consultant doctors, nurses and medical practitioners.
Professional Beauty has approached Skn Group for comment.
We have also rounded up some of the job opportunities available for employees of Skn Group – check them out here.
New distributors for Skinbrands portfolio
Skinbrands, which was part of the Skn Group, distributed brands including Medik8, Epionce and Grande Cosmetics. Some of these brands have now appointed new professional distributors.
Medik8 has partered with Wigmore Medical as its distributor for the UK and Ireland, while Epionce joins Dermapure Clinical's portfolio.
Government advice concerning Skn Group closure
The Government has released information for patients and their relatives and carers, employees and creditors of the five Skn Group of companies in liquidation.
A statement on the Government's website reads:
"Winding-up orders were made against five companies from the Sk:n Group of companies on Thursday 18 July 2024.
"The court appointed the Official Receiver, Joseph Sullivan, as liquidator of:
- Lasercare Clinics (Harrogate) Limited (company number 02545572)
- LCHMG Limited (company number 12325705)
- ABC Lasers Ltd. (company number 04795786)
- Cosmeceuticals Limited (company number 06114019)
- Cellite Clinic Limited (company number 03639621)
"The companies in liquidation traded under the following brands: Sk:n, HMG, Skinbrands, The Skin Experts, ABC Medical and ABC Lasers.
"The Official Receiver’s priority is to wind-down the companies in accordance with his statutory duties, for the benefit of the companies’ creditors. He also has a duty to inquire into the conduct of current and former directors.
"The remaining Sk:n Group companies continue to trade as normal."
The Government then goes on to give guidance for patients requiring post-operative care, patients with cancelled operations, patients and customers who have paid for services not yet received, customers who have entered into credit agreements to pay for services, employees and creditors.
To read the full information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/news/five-skn-group-companies-in-liquidation-information-for-patients-employees-and-creditors
The Skn Group, which owns sk:n, The Harley Medical Group, Skinbrands, The Skin Experts and ABC Medical, ceased trading on July 17, posting a statement on its website which reads:
“It is with regret that we advise that the Skn Group, including sk:n, The Harley Medical Group, Skinbrands, The Skin Experts and ABC Medical has ceased trading as of 17th July. The Mole Clinic is a separate part of the group and continues to trade as normal.
“The company has undertaken an extensive process to secure investment to enable it to continue to trading, but sadly we have been unsuccessful.
“We recognise that this outcome will have a significant impact on our team members and customers, and we are deeply sorry for the stress and inconvenience this has caused. We are doing all we can to address the concerns of those affected. We will be contacting all clients still awaiting test results as soon as possible. All further updates will be provided on this website as and when available.”
