Sudden collapse of plastic surgery group with over 70 branches

One of Britain’s largest plastic surgery providers, which had more than 70 branches across the UK, has gone bust.

Customers who called the SK:N Clinics main office number on Tuesday were informed: “Unfortunately, as of July 17, the SK:N group, including SK:N Clinics, Harley Medical Group, Skinbrands, The Skin Experts and ABC Medical, has ceased operations.”

The Birmingham-based company previously said it had the “largest network of specialist skincare clinics in the UK”.

Founded in 1990, the company has established offices in Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and now has 17 clinics across London.

The company also owned brands such as cosmetic surgery company Harley Medical Group and skin technology company ABC Medical, whose phone lines broadcast the same automated message.

SK:N had over 450 consultants, doctors, nurses and medical practitioners operating across England and Scotland.

The company offers services ranging from tattoo and wart removal to lip fillers and thread lifts, a type of face lift.

However, customers were informed on Wednesday that their appointments would no longer take place.

As of 17:00 BST on Tuesday, SK:N’s website was replaced with a message stating that the company had “undertaken an extensive process to secure investment to allow it to continue trading, but unfortunately we were not successful”.

Accounts on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram also appear to have been shut down.

The website’s message added: “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 everything we can to address the concerns of those affected and will contact any customers still awaiting test results as soon as possible. Any further updates will be provided on this website and as they become available.”

One customer, who asked not to be identified, said his upcoming appointment was canceled Tuesday “without warning.”

They added that they had paid around £700 up front for a series of appointments and had not completed the treatment.

“They did this without any prior warning to customers, without any communication about how to get a refund for the treatments that customers are entitled to,” the person said.

Kendrick Communications, the company’s public relations agency, said in an Instagram post that SK:N had ceased operations.

Kendrick’s message read: “At this time, we have no information for the press and patients who, naturally, are contacting us for clarification on the situation.

“We have no information on how things are being handled by SK:N (or HMRC/debt recovery), or how cancelled patient appointments/payments etc will be rectified.

“We are unfortunately in the same situation as many staff and patients, and are sorry to have no news to share – this situation has caught us all off guard.”

SK:N has been contacted for comment by PA Media.