A guide for redundant employees in administration or insolvency situations

Breaking News

National Car Parks (NCP) Has Gone Into Administration

in A guide for redundant employees in administration or insolvency situations Notice of Intention to Appoint Administrators

National Car Parks (NCP) has entered administration, placing 682 jobs at risk. Administration is a formal insolvency procedure designed to protect a company from creditor action while an administrator assesses whether the business can be rescued, sold, or restructured. In many cases, administrators will attempt to sell the company as a going concern to preserve jobs and maximise returns for creditors. The UK car park operator said demand for parking has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, highlighting “shifts in commuting and customer driving patterns” that have affected revenues. The company said it had been consistently losing cash and was ultimately unable to meet its financial obligations. It also struggled to exit a number of “long-term, inflexible” lease agreements tied to loss-making car park sites. Administrators from PwC have now been appointed and are seeking a buyer for the business, which they say represents the “best outcome” for creditors. "All sites are open, staff remain in post, and trading continues as normal," PwC added. "We will be engaging with landlords, employees, and other stakeholders as we explore all options," PwC said. NCP is one of the largest car park operators in the UK, managing around 340 car parks nationwide, including sites located at airports, hospitals and major transport hubs. According to a recent filing by its parent company, NCP’s liabilities exceeded the value of its assets by £305m as of 30 September last year. PwC said the business had a “high concentration” of inflexible lease agreements, which limited its ability to reduce costs or close unprofitable sites. Zelf Hussain, joint administrator and PwC partner, said the company had faced “a challenging trading environment” in recent years. "Our priority on appointment is to ensure continuity of service while we undertake a detailed review of the business." It does seem that the rents that they were paying were too high given the changing patterns of behaviour.  One presumes they had very long leases of 10 years+  Only administration can release them from these lease obligations.  Local councils who are likely the main freeholders of the sites are likely to take a hit on the loss of rent. Sir Donald Gosling and Ronald Hobson teamed up to found what became NCP after investing £200 in a bombsite in central London in October 1948.  They sold the business in 1998 for £500m and it is now owned by a Japanese Conglomorate Park24 Many years ago Sir Donald Gosling, one of the co-founders who owned the business, was amongst the richest individuals in the UK and frequently appeared in the "Sunday Times Rich List"  He at one time had one of the biggest Super Yachts in the world.  How times have changed!  He set up the Gosling Charitable Foundation that has done great works in the Naval arena

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National Car Parks (NCP) Has Gone Into Administration
denby loog

Denby Pottery In Administration Threat

in A guide for redundant employees in administration or insolvency situations Notice of Intention to Appoint Administrators

Renowned pottery manufacturer Denby has confirmed plans to appoint administrators after facing significant financial pressures in recent years. The Derbyshire-based company, which was founded in 1809, has been a well-known name in British ceramics for more than two centuries. The business was previously rescued in 2009 when it was acquired by investment firm Hilco Capital. In a statement released on Thursday, The Denby Group confirmed it had filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, describing the move as “a precautionary measure”. The company said it had been unable to secure a suitable investment partner despite exploring a range of options. According to the company, a combination of reduced demand, rising employment costs and sharply higher energy prices has placed increasing financial strain on the business. Denby also said that tighter financial markets had made it more difficult to access new funding. "While Denby has explored a range of options, it has not yet been able to secure a strategic investment partner aligned with the long-term vision and values of its historic British brands much loved by their large global fan base," the statement said. "The search for a suitable partner will continue whether for the Denby Group as a whole or for the brands individually." The company added that the notice of intention provides short-term protection from creditor action while it continues to explore funding and restructuring options. It confirmed that Denby and its subsidiary Burgess and Leigh will continue trading during this period, along with the company’s international subsidiaries. 'A worrying time' Following the announcement, union representatives said the situation would be concerning for employees. GMB union organiser Craig Thomson said it was a "worrying time" for Denby workers. "Denby pottery is a British icon, producing some of the world's finest ceramics," he said. "This is a worrying time for workers across Denby. We are working closely with our members and reps on site. "Britain's ceramics industry is the envy of the world. "We must now see urgent government action on energy prices to support the sector through this time of turbulence." Derbyshire Labour MP Linsey Farnsworth also said she had held an "urgent meeting" with the company and had been in contact with the GMB union. Farnsworth, who represents Amber Valley in Derbyshire, said: "Denby remains a world-class, viable manufacturer that continues to trade and meet demand. "I am acting as a direct link between the company and the Department for Business and Trade to ensure every possible avenue is explored to secure a positive outcome for Amber Valley." 2025 and 2026 have been a difficult years for the industry. Royal Stafford also went into administration in February (2025). Other closures include Dudson (2019), Wade (2023), and Johnsons Tiles (2024). 

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Denby Pottery In Administration Threat
Breaking News

Global Counsel in Administration Move

in A guide for redundant employees in administration or insolvency situations Notice of Intention to Appoint Administrators Professional Services What Does Going Into Administration Mean?

Sky News reports that Global Counsel, the advisory and lobbying firm founded in 2010, is set to enter administration following a rapid loss of clients and revenues. The firm, which employs around 130 staff, was destabilised after severing ties with its founder Peter Mandelson, amid reputational concerns arising from his past associations. Despite the appointment of a new leadership team, the scale and speed of client departures left the business without a viable trading future.According to Sky News, employees were informed that administrators would be appointed imminently, office leases surrendered and redundancies expected. The board has since confirmed that it intends to apply to the court for the appointment of Interpath as administrator, noting that any ongoing client servicing would be extremely limited and that a significant number of redundancies are unavoidable.From an insolvency perspective, administration is designed primarily as a rescue process and must demonstrate a better outcome for creditors than an immediate liquidation. In this case, that may be difficult to achieve. The firm’s brand has suffered significant reputational damage, which materially reduces the prospects of a going-concern sale or meaningful trading continuation.The sudden nature of the collapse also highlights a key commercial vulnerability within the PR and public affairs sector. Client contracts commonly include provisions allowing immediate termination where the adviser itself becomes a reputational risk. Once confidence is lost, income can fall away almost overnight, leaving little opportunity to stabilise cashflow or restructure the business.If the administration does not result in a sale or rescue, the administrators’ role will focus on an orderly wind-down, including redundancies, exiting property commitments and seeking to recover unpaid client invoices where possible for the benefit of creditors.Addendum: a familiar pattern in the PR sector This sequence of events is similar in the collapse of Bell Pottinger, which entered insolvency in 2017 following severe reputational damage and an immediate exodus of clients. As with Global Counsel, Bell Pottinger’s downfall was not caused by a gradual deterioration in trading performance but by a sudden loss of trust that rendered its business model unworkable almost overnight.In both cases, the absence of long-term contracted income and the reliance on reputation as a core asset meant that once clients exercised termination rights, the firms were left with little protection against rapid cashflow failure. That structural fragility significantly limits the scope for recovery once confidence in the brand has been lost.

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Global Counsel in Administration Move

BrewDog To Be Sold

in A guide for redundant employees in administration or insolvency situations Hospitality News Retail What Does Going Into Administration Mean?

Update 2nd March  Brewdog CEO unable to buy the company out of a pre pack administration and Tilray Brands from the US has agreed to buy the firm for £33m it has been reported. BrewDog, the Scottish craft brewer best known for brands such as Punk IPA, has confirmed it has appointed AlixPartners to run a “structured and competitive” process to assess the business’s next phase of investment. This move that has fuelled speculation the company could be sold, or potentially broken up into separate parts. In a statement, BrewDog said the decision follows “a year of decisive action in 2025” focused on cost control and operating efficiencies, describing the appointment as a “deliberate and disciplined step” aimed at strengthening the long-term future of the brand and its operations. The company also stressed that bars and breweries will continue to operate as normal while options are evaluated. AlixPartners is widely recognised for its work in, turnaround and restructuring.  It is often engaged by businesses that are under pressure or looking to make significant changes quickly. Its reported that the process could explore multiple outcomes, from attracting fresh investment to an outright sale, with some commentary suggesting bidders may be interested in different elements of the group (for example, the brewing/brands side and the bar estate) if a break-up delivers better value than a single transaction. For customers and employees, BrewDog’s message is reassurance: day-to-day operations continue and “no decisions have been made”. For stakeholders, the key point is that this is now a structured process rather than informal market soundings — meaning the company is likely to move at pace to test appetite and options. This announcement is another sign of how hard the hospitality markets remain, with input costs, wage pressures and cautious spending continuing to squeeze margins across the sector. If your business is facing similar pressures and you are worried about trading or paying creditors then it is vital to act early.  This makes any sudden issues more manageable.

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BrewDog To Be Sold

PM Law Group Closed Suddenly Due To SRA Intervention

in A guide for redundant employees in administration or insolvency situations Law Retail What Does Going Into Administration Mean?

PM Law Group has abruptly shut down across multiple offices and brands in the UK, creating disruption for clients, property chains and ongoing casework. The group is headquartered in Sheffield and traces its roots back to personal injury firm Proddow Mackay, established in Maidenhead in 1990. An archived version of the group’s website from December stated it had over 600 staff, underlining the scale of the closure. The shutdown appears to have happened without warning. A BBC report on the Kendall office of Butterworths Solicitors (part of the group) featured a sign in the window stating: “Due to regularity matters the PM Group of Businesses carried out within this building can no longer trade.” Many of the group’s associated websites also became unavailable around the same time, and PM Law’s main website is no longer live. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has now confirmed formal regulatory action. In an outcome notice published on 4 February 2026, the SRA recorded a closure decision with an intervention outcome on the same date. The notice lists a range of connected entities the SRA has intervened into, spanning the PM Law and Proddow Mackay brands as well as other linked practices, including Butterworths Solicitors and WB Pennine Solicitors. While the legal basis is technical, the practical purpose is straightforward: an intervention is a client-protection step that allows the regulator to secure client files and client money and to put an immediate stop on trading where required. The SRA has appointed an intervening agent to manage the process and handle enquiries: John Owen of Gordons LLP (Bradford). For enquiries, clients and interested parties are directed to call 0113 227 0368 or email PM@gordonsllp.com. PM Law Group appears to have operated through at least 14 law firm brands, with several specialising in conveyancing, alongside personal injury, wills and other legal services. The group also reportedly included related businesses supporting conveyancing and claims operations, including Lexelle (legal expenses insurance/claims management) and OSOI Global, an India-based outsourcing provider offering fixed-price services to conveyancers such as title checking. Financial detail is limited because the group claimed an audit exemption, but accounts filed at Companies House for Proddow McKay Solicitors LLP one of the group companies showed that as at 31 October 2024 the group had creditors of £11.1m. The Group companies and brands appear to be operated under a HMRC VAT group in which all members are jointly and severally liable for any VAT the group owes to HMRC. At 31 October 2024 the overall liability held by this company totals £1,435,017. Its quite unusual for a solicitors company to simply cease trading without SRA intervention. In this case the business appears to have closed the doors last Friday 31st January and did not reopen Monday 2nd February. Some employees had been told not to turn up over the weekend. However the SRA website shows that it intervened yesterday Wednesday 4th February. https://www.sra.org.uk/news/news/press/pm-law/

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PM Law Group Closed Suddenly Due To SRA Intervention

Barry M In Administration Move As January Insolvencies Continue

in A guide for redundant employees in administration or insolvency situations News Retail

Barry M, one of the UK’s best-known cosmetics brands, has filed an intention to appoint administrators and is urgently seeking a buyer, highlighting the continued pressure on retailers as the new year gets underway.January has already seen a notable rise in insolvencies, as many retailers reach the point where Christmas takings have been banked but ongoing costs and liabilities remain, leaving little room to manoeuvre once seasonal trading ends.The business, which is known for its colourful nail varnishes and affordable vegan cosmetics, has appointed restructuring specialists Begbies Traynor to explore rescue and sale options.Barry M supplies a number of major high-street retailers, including Boots and Superdrug, alongside operating its own direct-to-consumer online store.Despite outward signs of stability, recent accounts show turnover rising to £17.4 million for the year to February 2024, with improved profitability. However, increasing operating costs and ongoing supply-chain disruption have eroded margins, leaving the business vulnerable despite growing revenues.Barry M was founded in the 1970s by Barry Mero, initially trading from Ridley Road Market in east London. Over the following decades, the brand became a household name, associated with bold colours, accessible pricing and ethical credentials.Following Mero’s death in 2014, his son Dean took over the business, maintaining its vegan and cruelty-free positioning and expanding its digital and social media presence. In 2024, the company undertook its first major rebrand in decades in an effort to appeal to younger consumers.The business manufactures its products at a 45,000-square-foot facility in Mill Hill, north London, employing more than 100 people. While UK-based production has long been central to the brand’s identity, rising energy prices, labour costs and regulatory compliance have significantly increased overheads compared to overseas competitors.Barry M’s administration reflects wider difficulties across the UK retail and beauty sectors. Over the past year, a number of well-known brands have entered insolvency processes or reduced their footprints as consumer spending weakens and cost pressures remain elevated.Quiz clothing has also made a similar move

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Barry M In Administration Move As January Insolvencies Continue

Nottingham Belfry Hotel and Spa Goes Into Administration

in A guide for redundant employees in administration or insolvency situations Hospitality What Does Going Into Administration Mean?

The Nottingham Belfry Hotel and Spa has entered administration, with Anthony Simmons and Ian Corfield of FRP Advisory appointed as joint administrators.The hotel remains open and continues to trade while the administration process is ongoing. All existing guest bookings and event reservations will be honoured, providing reassurance to customers with forthcoming stays or functions.All employees have been retained at this stage. Around 120 staff were employed at the end of 2024, and the preservation of jobs will be a key consideration as the process progresses.The administrators are actively seeking a buyer for the business, with the aim of securing a sale that allows the hotel to continue operating as a going concern and protects employment in the longer term.The disposal process is being managed by Christie & Co, a specialist commercial property agent. A deadline of 26 January 2026 has reportedly been set for interested parties to submit offers, indicating that the sale process is moving forward at pace.The administrators have described the hotel as having a strong reputation and a well-established presence in the regional hospitality market. The site benefits from extensive accommodation and a full spa facility, and continues to receive positive customer feedback, including high review ratings for service, facilities and staff.This administration follows a number of high-profile insolvencies across the UK hospitality and leisure sectors. Rising costs, changing consumer behaviour and wider economic pressures continue to impact businesses across the industry, even those with strong brands and loyal customer bases.

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Nottingham Belfry Hotel and Spa Goes Into Administration

Quiz Clothing In Administration Rumours

in A guide for redundant employees in administration or insolvency situations News Retail

Update 5th FebruaryIt has been confirmed that Quiz Clothing has gone into administration today.--------------Quiz Clothing is rumoured to be close to administration according to reports in the papers that cites the source as the Telegraph.  I must admit I cannot find such an article except this one.Anyway, The fast fashion retailer has apparently filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators.  It should be borne in mind that this is often a protective measure which gives the company breathing space, initially for 10 days,  to put together a rescue plan.  It has been reported that funds are looking at injecting it with new capital.Quiz currently has 40 stores across the UK, including in London and Manchester.  The company also employs around 1000 people.The company in a statement said it had disappointing sales during the Christmas trading period and blamed labour policies that have pushed up their costs.The Sun reported that a spokesman for the company had said that all Quiz Shops continue to remain open.

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Quiz Clothing In Administration Rumours
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The Revolution Bars Files Notice of Intention to Appoint Administrators

in A guide for redundant employees in administration or insolvency situations Notice of Intention to Appoint Administrators Retail What Does Going Into Administration Mean?

The Revel Collective, the national bar and gastro pub operator trading primarily under the Revolution, Revolución de Cuba, and Peach Pubs brands, has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators.The move follows confirmation late last year that the group was actively pursuing a formal sale process to identify a buyer or buyers for the business. While those discussions are understood to be well advanced, the company has acknowledged that the transactions currently under consideration are not expected to deliver any return to shareholders, prompting action to safeguard creditor interests.Unless circumstances change, administrators are expected to take control of the business and its portfolio of around 60 venues within 10 business days. Trading to Continue as Sale Process Advances The group has confirmed that it will continue to trade during the notice period, including its Revolution and Revolución de Cuba venues in Glasgow and Aberdeen, while working with advisers to “preserve as much value as possible for all stakeholders” as the sale process progresses. Impact of Government Measures Cited The Revel Collective, which rebranded from Revolution Bars Group following a restructuring in October 2024, attributed its financial difficulties to the cumulative impact of government interventions announced in the most recent Budget. The company said these measures had undermined efforts to improve trading performance across the estate. Background and Leadership Founded in 1991 as a single bar in Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester, the business was established by Roy Ellis and Neil Macleod, both of whom exited the company in 2013.The group is currently led by chief executive Rob Pitcher, with the 2024 restructuring also seeing entrepreneur Luke Johnson appointed as non-executive chairman. What This Means for Creditors The filing of a notice of intention to appoint administrators provides the company with a short period of legal protection from creditor action while options are explored.During this time, creditors cannot commence or continue legal proceedings without court permission.The business is continuing to trade, which may help preserve value while a sale of some or all of the business is pursued.If administrators are appointed, they will assess whether a sale, restructuring, or closure of venues offers the best outcome for creditors.Unsecured creditors should be aware that recoveries will depend on the value realised from any sale and the level of secured and preferential claims.

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The Revolution Bars Files Notice of Intention to Appoint Administrators
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The Revel Collective Files Notice of Intention to Appoint Administrators

in A guide for redundant employees in administration or insolvency situations Notice of Intention to Appoint Administrators Retail What Does Going Into Administration Mean?

The Revel Collective, the national bar and gastro pub operator trading primarily under the Revolution, Revolución de Cuba, and Peach Pubs brands, has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators.The move follows confirmation late last year that the group was actively pursuing a formal sale process to identify a buyer or buyers for the business. While those discussions are understood to be well advanced, the company has acknowledged that the transactions currently under consideration are not expected to deliver any return to shareholders, prompting action to safeguard creditor interests.Unless circumstances change, administrators are expected to take control of the business and its portfolio of around 60 venues within 10 business days. Trading to Continue as Sale Process Advances The group has confirmed that it will continue to trade during the notice period, including its Revolution and Revolución de Cuba venues in Glasgow and Aberdeen, while working with advisers to “preserve as much value as possible for all stakeholders” as the sale process progresses. Impact of Government Measures Cited The Revel Collective, which rebranded from Revolution Bars Group following a restructuring in October 2024, attributed its financial difficulties to the cumulative impact of government interventions announced in the most recent Budget. The company said these measures had undermined efforts to improve trading performance across the estate. Background and Leadership Founded in 1991 as a single bar in Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester, the business was established by Roy Ellis and Neil Macleod, both of whom exited the company in 2013.The group is currently led by chief executive Rob Pitcher, with the 2024 restructuring also seeing entrepreneur Luke Johnson appointed as non-executive chairman. What This Means for Creditors The filing of a notice of intention to appoint administrators provides the company with a short period of legal protection from creditor action while options are explored.During this time, creditors cannot commence or continue legal proceedings without court permission.The business is continuing to trade, which may help preserve value while a sale of some or all of the business is pursued.If administrators are appointed, they will assess whether a sale, restructuring, or closure of venues offers the best outcome for creditors.Unsecured creditors should be aware that recoveries will depend on the value realised from any sale and the level of secured and preferential claims.

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The Revel Collective Files Notice of Intention to Appoint Administrators

Caldwell Construction Goes Into Administration

in A guide for redundant employees in administration or insolvency situations Construction

Groundworks and civil engineering contractor Caldwell Construction has entered administration following the filing of a notice of intention to appoint administrators earlier this week. PKF Littlejohn Advisory has now been appointed as administrator to the business. Caldwell Construction employs more than 400 people across operations in Stoke-on-Trent and Warrington and reported revenue of approximately £58m for the year to March 2025. The company’s most recent accounts, filed at Companies House in March, showed a loss of around £170,000 for the 2024/25 financial year, compared with a profit of £2.9m in the previous year. Despite the deterioration in profitability, directors stated in the accounts that the business was “performing well”, while noting margin pressure arising from increased material and labour costs, the completion of fixed-price legacy contracts, and a slowdown in the housing market. However, Paul Smith, partner at PKF Littlejohn Advisory UK LLP, said this week that wider industry pressures had significantly affected the business in recent weeks. He said “challenging trading conditions” had placed “significant strain on cashflow and operations at Caldwell”. Smith added:“The PKF Littlejohn Advisory team in Manchester and Leeds had worked closely with Caldwell’s management over the past few months to explore all available options and potential solutions for the business. “Unfortunately, despite extensive efforts, it was not possible to secure a way forward that would allow the company to continue trading outside of an insolvency process.”Founded in 2007, the company specialises in foundations, sewers, storm water attenuation systems, hard and soft landscaping, and the construction of carriageways and footpaths. Joint Administrator Oliver Collinge said:“The directors at Caldwell have taken the difficult decision to place the company into administration. Our immediate focus is now on supporting employees and stakeholders while we assess the position of the business and its assets.”

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Caldwell Construction Goes Into Administration

CW Sellors Goes Into Administration

in A guide for redundant employees in administration or insolvency situations Retail

CW Sellors, a Derbyshire-based jewellery retailer, has entered administration, with Lee Causer and Ben Peterson of BDO appointed as joint administrators. The appointments followed the filing of a notice of intention to appoint administrators via Browne Jacobson. A connected entity, Cessbrook Investments, has also entered administration. The business, founded in 1979, operates retail outlets in Ashbourne, Bakewell, Matlock, Shrewsbury, York and Whitby. As part of the administration strategy, the Whitby operations will be consolidated into a single store, W Hamond, with four stores closing. All other locations continue to trade. Online orders are not currently being accepted, and the administrators are seeking a purchaser for the business. The company experienced cash-flow pressure following investment in new manufacturing and training facilities, alongside rising overheads and reduced demand during the cost-of-living crisis. Thirty-six employees have been made redundant, with approximately 50 retained to support ongoing trading during the sale process. Lee Causer, Joint Administrator at BDO, said:“The business has been experiencing challenging trading conditions, with rising overheads and lower demand for its high-end products. “Regrettably, 36 people have been made redundant with immediate effect. The company’s remaining 50 employees will be retained for a period to assist the Administrators to trade the business whilst a buyer is sought.”In its most recent accounts to April 2024, CW Sellors reported turnover of £28.5m, down from £30.4m in the prior year, and losses in excess of £2.1m. The business employed around 190 staff at that time. Directors noted that the year was impacted by the death of the founder and managing director in September 2023, alongside a tightening consumer environment. The accounts stated:“This has been a unique and challenging year for the business. We lost our founder and managing director in September 2023 following a period of illness, and the business initially found it difficult to adapt to that loss. This coincided with a tightening market as the cost of living crisis began to take hold.”The company continued to invest during the period, including the development of the Waters View site near Carsington Water, intended as a new headquarters incorporating manufacturing, showroom, and hospitality facilities. The directors said:“Notwithstanding these challenges, the business continued to invest for the future…”However, the Waters View development was subsequently placed on the market via Savills after construction costs increased significantly, with the overall build cost doubling following Covid-related inflation. The company concluded that completion of the project was no longer financially viable.

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CW Sellors Goes Into Administration