THE jewellery business launched by the wife and daughter of a North-East entrepreneur has gone into liquidation.

Lebeado Ltd, which specialised in beads and jewellery-making equipment, and was set up by Karl Watkins’ wife, Jill, and daughter, Kate, has closed its outlets which included shops in Durham, Newcastle and London.

Last year, Kate was named entrepreneur of the year award at the Every Woman in Retail Awards.

The business opened its first shop in Durham in 2007 and later expanded into Newcastle and unveiled a branch in London’s Westfield Shopping Centre.

Lebeado has closed all its stores after going into liquidation shortly before Christmas.

Tyneside-born serial entrepreneur Mr Watkin has businesses including Gateshead engineering firm Crabtree, Middlesbrough biodiesel company D1 Oils and private jet business Plane Chartering.