A guide for redundant employees in administration or insolvency situations

Quiz Clothing In Administration Rumours

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

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

Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop in Administration Threat

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

Update 5th January 2026For the second time Claire's has filed an intention to appoint administrators and the owner Modella Capital has also done the same for the Original Factory Shop.  This puts 2500 jobs at risk and is another blow to jobs in the High Street. Modella Capital bought the chain out of administration only in September 2025.  In a statement Modella said there had been a huge drop off in trade and that administration was the only option.----------------------------It has been reported that Claire's, the fashion accessories chain, has filed an intention to appoint administrators at the court today.  Interpath have been lined up to try and rescue the company, the move puts 2,150 jobs at risk.​​​​​The company has 278 shops in the UK and 28 in Ireland but has been struggling with falling sales and fierce competition.  The US arm of the company has already gone into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.Claire's said all outlets will continue trading while administrators at Interpath said they will "assess options for the company" once appointed.​Mr Cramer, the chief executive, said: “This decision, while difficult, is part of our broader effort to protect the long-term value of Claire’s across all markets.”Mr Wright at Interpath said: “Over the coming weeks, we will endeavour to continue to operate all stores as a going concern for as long as we can, while we assess options for the company.”​​The UK chain sits as part of the Claire’s empire, which stems from a base in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois.Claire’s French business, which has 239 stores, was forced to call in receivers last month.As such, it isn't really a UK specific problem.  The main issue has been that the teenagers and "tweens" who have been the bedrock of Claire's customer base worldwide now buy their "accessories" online, via influencers and from the likes of Temu and Shein.Many retailers have used CVAs to try and reduce costs but in the case of Claire's the problems were probably too deep and the benefit of exiting a few leases or reducing rents was not going to be enough.​A loan of £355m is due to be paid back in December 2026 and it is likely that the lenders ( who are secured so not bound by a CVA ) felt that time was up.  The last 3 years the company has lost £25m and turnover has fallen to £137m

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Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop in Administration Threat
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TGI Fridays Expected To Do A Pre Pack Administration

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

Update 5th January 2026It is understood that TGI Fridays is likely to be sold next week in a Pre Pack Administration.  It is reported that about 15-20 stores may close.  This will mean the majority of the estate will disappear.  It is expected that there will be hundreds of redundancies amongst the 2000 staff.Sugarloaf acquired the chain from Breal Capital and Calveton UK in October of this year and immediately sought to sell it. However, it has been reported that the company filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators on the 5th of December. Could it be that TGIs could go into a CVA? The CVA would only really work if the main problem was high rents or just certain outlets needed to be closed down.  The money that it owes its lender is no doubt secured so they have the power to call in administrators at any time.Without knowing more about its exact financial position it is hard to say.If the company does go into administration it is likely that a number of the restaurants, which are making money, will be snapped up by other restaurant groups and may continue to trade under the TGI brand.  If not then the owners will take advantage of their prime locations.

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TGI Fridays Expected To Do A Pre Pack Administration

LK Bennett in Administration Move

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

LK Bennett filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators before Christmas.  As such, it looks like the company is going into administration for the second time. What has happened? Following the last administration the firm was ultimately acquired by Rebecca Feng, who ran the brand’s franchises in China, through Byland UK.  The estate was reduced to just 9 stores.Following the acquisition, the firm initially experienced growth, expanding into new categories such as bridal wear, opening stores in key locations, returning to profitability and moving its flagship store and headquarters to Bond Street in London.  However it looks like its success was shortlived.LK Bennett, has 9 stores in the UK and employs 500 people.  The company are struggling financially, and looking to close if no new funding can be found.Problems on the High Street have been well documented recently with high rents and rates, uncertainty, and increases in minimum wages.The Duchess of Cambridge has been a big fan of the brand and so to have been many middle class affluent shoppers.  Ms Bennett was described as the "queen of the kitten heel"  However this time it looks likely to be gone forever on the High Street.

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LK Bennett in Administration Move

Leon Goes Into Administration But Hope To Exit Via A CVA

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

Leon, the fast food chain, has appointed administrators at Quantuma  stating that its main priority is to 'shut loss-making restaurants'.It was just earlier in May that Quantuma were reported to be drafted in to help the chain secure rent cuts from landlords.Mr Vincent bought back the chain from Asda last month for a reported £30m.  He is now planning to turn it around.  Mr Vincent stated, "If you look at the performance of LEON's peers, you will see that everyone is facing challenges – companies are reporting significant losses due to working patterns and increasingly unsustainable taxes."​The company, which has gone on to become a key player in the healthy fast-food sector, was set up in 2004 by Mr Dimbleby, John Vincent and chef, Allegra McEvedy. The menu is inspired from the founders; Mediterranean roots- mixing its flavours, variety and natural healthiness.It operates from more than 44 sites across the UK and has 22 franchisesIt has faced difficulty, as have many other players in the fast-food market, particularly due to the slump in commuter numbers, which were a key target consumer group.It is understood that the chain will try to exit the administration using a CVA.

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Leon Goes Into Administration But Hope To Exit Via A CVA

UniMetals To Go Into Liquidation According To Reports

in A guide for redundant employees in administration or insolvency situations Company Liquidation Manufacturing and Engineering News

According to Reports by Sky News Unimetals is likely to go into liquidation tomorrow following repeated attempts to save the company.  The company had filed a couple of Notice of Intention To Appoint Administrators at court as a way to give it some breathing space.  The recycling company is an important element of the Steel supply chain and this has got the government worried.650 jobs are likely to be lost in any liquidation.This is a breaking story....

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UniMetals To Go Into Liquidation According To Reports
construction site

Northumberland Firm Merit Goes Into Administration

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

Update 19th NovemberOffsite construction specialist Merit has ceased trading after entering administration, resulting in the loss of most of its 340 jobs.James Lumb and Will Wright of Interpath were appointed as joint administrators to Merit Health Limited and Merit Holdings Limited on 17th and 18th November respectively.​ The Northumberland Gazette has reported that A Cramlington-based construction company has taken action to “protect the position of the business” after a winding-up petition from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).Merit Group Services Limited has filed a Notice of Intention to Appoint Administrators, saying the petition caused project delays and “significant additional pressure” on cashflow, though it remains “confident that a solution to this difficult situation can be found.”The company heads a group of 16, including Merit Holdings, which is working with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust on the £35m Berwick Community Hospital and a medicines manufacturing unit at Seaton Delaval. Some of the hospital units have been built at Merit’s Cramlington site and transported to Berwick for installation.A Merit spokesperson said: “The recent filing of a winding up petition against Merit Group Services resulted in certain customer projects experiencing delays, which in turn has placed significant additional pressure on the group’s cashflow.“We have therefore taken the decision to file a Notice of Intention to Appoint Administrators in order to protect the position of the business while we explore options. We remain confident that a solution to this difficult situation can be found.”HMRC has not disclosed its reasons for the petition, saying such action is only taken “once we’ve exhausted all other options.”A trust spokesperson said: “Northumbria Healthcare has been made aware that Merit has filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator. This is a very unfortunate situation and we appreciate that this will be a very difficult time for all involved.“The trust is continuing to work in partnership with the organisation and its advisers, and has adhered to the contractual agreements in place.“We have robust plans in place to ensure construction work continues to progress both the Berwick Community Hospital and Medicines Manufacturing Centre at Seaton Delaval.“We remain focused on delivering both projects as planned and are in on-going dialogue with all relevant parties to ensure continuity and minimise any potential disruption.”Construction businesses have the highest insolvency rates in part due to the "lumpy" nature of their income, complex contracts and unforseen construction problems.See how RMT KSA has saved construction companies using our innovative turnaround techniques.  We also have an office in Berwick!

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Northumberland Firm Merit Goes Into Administration

Arnold Laver In Administration Threat

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

National Timber Group England Files Notice of Intention to Appoint Administrators National Timber Group England, one of the UK’s largest timber suppliers, has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, putting more than 1,000 jobs at risk as the business seeks urgent restructuring and rescue options. The Sheffield-headquartered division, based on Bramall Lane, forms part of National Timber Group Midco, which has also submitted a notice of intention to appoint administrators, indicating financial challenges across the wider group. The business operates a nationwide network of timber distribution and processing sites, trading under several well-known sector brands including Arnold Laver, National Timber Systems, SV Timber and NORclad. Branches in Alfreton, Nottingham and Leicester are among those expected to be impacted.The Financials The group’s most recent accounts, covering the year ending 31 December 2023, reported: Turnover: more than £196 million Pre-tax losses: £6.3 million Headcount: over 1,000 employeesDespite its scale and longstanding market presence, rising costs and weakening demand across the construction sector have contributed to sustained trading pressures.A Century-Old Timber Business National Timber Group England traces its origins back to 1920, when it was founded in Sheffield by Arnold Laver. Over more than a century, it has grown into a major supplier to: joinery manufacturers housebuilders and contractors large-scale infrastructure projectsThe business is supported by extensive warehousing, processing and distribution capabilities, making it a critical part of the UK timber supply chain.What the Notice of Intention Means A Notice of Intention (NOI) to appoint administrators typically provides the company with a short period of protection from creditor action. During this time, options may be explored including: a refinancing or investment deal a sale of the business a restructuring process such as a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) a trading administration if no buyer is found immediatelyThe goal is generally to preserve as much of the business and employment as possible.Sector Impact The construction materials sector has faced sustained challenges, including: reduced housebuilding activity inflationary pressures on imported timber higher financing and logistics costs contractor insolvencies affecting supply-chain payment cyclesNational Timber Group England’s situation is likely to have implications for timber availability and pricing, particularly for joinery and housing developers.Next Steps Administrators are expected to be formally appointed once the NOI period ends, unless a rescue option is secured beforehand. Suppliers, customers and employees are awaiting further updates as the restructuring process progresses.

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Arnold Laver In Administration Threat