Jessops
Retailer / private label
UnclaimedBritish specialist photographic equipment retailer.
Last updated August 25, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile yet.
Overview
Jessops is a British specialist photographic retailer whose roots date to a Leicester shop founded by Frank Jessop in 1935. The business expanded from a local photographic dealer into a national chain serving major British towns and cities, selling cameras, lenses, film, accessories and related photographic goods. It also developed own-label products under the Centon name and operated photographic processing and printing services alongside equipment retailing. The company changed ownership several times during the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. Frank Jessop's son, Alan Jessop, sold the business in a management buyout to Bridgepoint Capital in 1996. Attempts to float the company on the London Stock Exchange were abandoned in 2000 and 2002. ABN Amro acquired the retailer in 2002, and the company subsequently achieved a stock-market listing in 2004. During this period Jessops expanded its store estate and moved its principal warehouse from Leicester to Weedon Bec in Northamptonshire, a change that also resulted in substantial redundancies. Jessops encountered increasing financial pressure during the late 2000s. The company faced competition from online retailers, changing consumer buying habits and the improving cameras built into mobile phones. A strategic review in 2007 led to the planned closure of 81 stores. In 2009, a debt-for-equity restructuring transferred the trading business to Snap Equity Limited, with ownership shared between HSBC, pension trustees and an employee trust. The former Jessops plc was placed into liquidation and its final-salary pension scheme was transferred to the Pension Protection Fund. The retailer entered administration on 9 January 2013. All 187 stores were initially expected to close, with 1,370 jobs affected. On 31 January 2013, entrepreneur Peter Jones's PJ Investment Group acquired the Jessops brand and selected assets, creating a new corporate structure including Jessops (Group) Limited and Jessops Europe Limited. Stores began reopening in March 2013, with the Oxford Street branch in London attracting substantial publicity. By September 2013, 28 stores had reopened, and a later partnership with Sainsbury's placed Jessops branches inside selected larger supermarkets. The chain had 52 stores by April 2016. Jessops experienced further restructuring in 2019 and entered administration again in March 2021. The business proposed a company voluntary arrangement, which received unanimous creditor approval in August 2021. PJ Investment Group provided additional capital under the restructuring plan. In the year ending 1 October 2023, reported revenue was £19.97 million, down 7.5% year on year, and the company recorded a £1.2 million loss. HM Revenue and Customs issued a winding-up petition in July 2024 over outstanding tax liabilities, but the petition was subsequently withdrawn. Jessops therefore remains an active United Kingdom photographic retailer, combining physical stores, online sales and associated photographic services.
History
Jessops began in 1935 when Frank Jessop established a specialist photographic shop in Leicester. The company gradually expanded into other British towns and cities, building a national retail presence focused on cameras, lenses, film and photographic accessories. It also sold selected goods under the Centon own-label brand and developed services such as film processing and photo printing. In 1996, Alan Jessop, the founder's son, sold the business through a management buyout backed by Bridgepoint Capital. The new ownership explored a London Stock Exchange flotation in 2000, but abandoned the proposal after concerns about the valuation that could be achieved. A second flotation attempt was also abandoned in 2002. In September 2002, ABN Amro agreed to acquire Jessops for £116 million, with the transaction completing the following month. Under this ownership, the company successfully floated on the London Stock Exchange in November 2004. Operational changes continued during the expansion period. In May 2004, Jessops moved its main warehouse from Leicester to Weedon Bec in Northamptonshire because the Leicester facility was too small. The relocation led to substantial redundancies. The business later became vulnerable to the rapid growth of online retail, changes in camera technology and the increasing quality of mobile-phone cameras. Financial difficulties were apparent by June 2007, prompting a strategic review and the announcement of 81 store closures from a chain of 315 locations. A refinancing with HSBC in September 2009 transferred the group's trading activities to Snap Equity Limited. Jessops plc was placed into liquidation, while Snap Equity's ownership was divided among HSBC, pension trustees and an employee trust. The company's final-salary pension scheme was transferred to the Pension Protection Fund. These steps allowed trading to continue but did not resolve the structural pressure facing the specialist camera market. Jessops entered administration on 9 January 2013. The initial plan involved closing all 187 stores and resulted in the loss of around 1,370 jobs. The administration also caused practical difficulties for customers, including the suspension of returns and uncertainty over gift cards. On 31 January 2013, PJ Investment Group, led by entrepreneur Peter Jones, purchased the Jessops brand and selected assets. New companies, including Jessops (Group) Limited, Jessops Europe Limited and Jessops Online Limited, were incorporated to support the revived operation. The new business reopened six stores on 28 March 2013, including a high-profile Oxford Street location in London. More branches reopened during the spring and summer, and 28 stores were operating again by September. The revived outlets included mini photographic laboratories offering same-day film processing. In July 2014, Jessops entered into an arrangement with Sainsbury's to establish branches within larger supermarkets. The chain reached 52 stores by April 2016. Further difficulties emerged in 2019 when ReSolve was appointed administrator of JR Prop Limited, the company holding property leases and employing retail staff. Jessops Europe Limited, the main trading company, was not directly affected at that stage. In March 2021, Jessops entered administration again and proposed a company voluntary arrangement. The CVA received 100% approval in August 2021, and PJ Investment Group supplied additional capital to support a sustainable business plan. Jessops continued trading while facing pressure on sales and profitability. For the year ending 1 October 2023, the company reported £19.97 million in revenue, down 7.5% from the previous year, and a £1.2 million loss. In July 2024, HMRC issued a winding-up petition relating to unpaid tax liabilities, but the petition was withdrawn shortly afterward. The business remains an active British photographic retailer with an online operation, physical retail presence and associated imaging services.
- 2024
HMRC petition withdrawn
[1]A winding-up petition connected with outstanding tax liabilities is issued and subsequently withdrawn.
- 2021
Company voluntary arrangement approved
[1]Creditors unanimously approve a CVA after the company enters administration in March, with additional funding from PJ Investment Group.
- 2014
Sainsbury's partnership begins
[1]Jessops agrees to open branches in selected larger Sainsbury's stores; the first partnership location opens in October.
- 2013
Administration and asset sale
[1]Jessops enters administration in January, then the brand and selected assets are acquired by PJ Investment Group at the end of the month.
- 2013
Stores reopen under new ownership
[1]Six stores reopen in March, followed by further openings that bring the chain to 28 stores by September.
- 2009
Debt-for-equity restructuring
[1]The trading business is transferred to Snap Equity Limited in a refinancing involving HSBC, pension trustees and an employee trust.
- 2007
Strategic review and store closures
[1]Financial pressure prompts a strategic review and plans to close 81 of the chain's 315 stores.
- 2004
Warehouse relocation and stock-market flotation
[1]Jessops moves its main warehouse to Weedon Bec and successfully floats on the London Stock Exchange later in the year.
- 2002
ABN Amro acquires Jessops
[1]ABN Amro purchases the retailer for £116 million, with completion taking place the following month.
- 1996
Management buyout backed by Bridgepoint
[1]Alan Jessop sells the family business in a management buyout to Bridgepoint Capital.
Products and positioning
Specialist photographic equipment retailer combining expert-oriented product selection with stores, e-commerce and photographic processing services.
Cameras
Digital cameras
Jessops has historically sold mainstream digital cameras across compact, bridge, DSLR and mirrorless categories. Its retail model combines equipment sales with advice, accessories and related imaging services.
Interchangeable-lens cameras
Mirrorless cameras
Mirrorless camera bodies and kits form an important part of the modern interchangeable-lens camera market served by Jessops, alongside compatible lenses, batteries, memory cards and other system accessories.
Interchangeable-lens cameras
Digital single-lens reflex cameras
Jessops has retailed DSLR bodies and lens kits from major camera manufacturers. DSLRs were central to specialist camera retail before mirrorless systems became more prominent.
Optics
Camera lenses
The retailer sells interchangeable lenses for different camera systems, covering standard, wide-angle, telephoto, macro and specialist photographic applications where available.
Own-label photographic goods
Centon products
Centon was Jessops's own-label name for photographic and related goods sold through its stores. The range formed part of the retailer's historic private-label assortment.
Photographic services
Photo processing and printing
Jessops has offered image-related services including film processing and photo printing. Reopened stores in 2013 were described as containing mini laboratories capable of same-day film processing.
Brand decisions
2021
Company voluntary arrangement and recapitalisationStrategyBackground
Jessops entered administration in March 2021 and needed a restructuring plan to continue trading.
Action taken
The company proposed a CVA, received 100% approval in August and obtained additional investment from PJ Investment Group.
Aftermath
The approved arrangement allowed the business to continue operating while pursuing a more sustainable plan.
2014
Expansion through Sainsbury's storesStrategyBackground
Following its post-administration restart, Jessops sought additional retail distribution beyond standalone branches.
Action taken
Jessops agreed a partnership to open branches inside selected larger Sainsbury's supermarkets.
Aftermath
The first partner branch opened in October 2014, contributing to a store network that reached 52 locations by April 2016.
2013
Acquisition of the brand by PJ Investment GroupM&ABackground
Jessops entered administration after failing to maintain its previous operating structure.
Action taken
PJ Investment Group acquired the Jessops brand and selected assets and established new companies to operate the revived business.
Aftermath
Stores began reopening in March 2013, and the company rebuilt a physical and online retail presence.
2007
Store estate reductionStrategyBackground
Jessops faced financial pressure amid changing camera technology, online competition and weaker demand for traditional cameras.
Action taken
The company announced the closure of 81 stores as part of a strategic review intended to reduce costs.
Aftermath
The restructuring did not prevent later refinancing, administration and ownership changes.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/jessops · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled