UK administrations update: January 27 - February 2

Since our last update, the following businesses have been confirmed as having fallen into administration. All dates indicate when the administration was announced and not necessarily the dates on which administrators were appointed.

Toye, Kenning & Spencer Limited - January 27
Toye, Kenning & Spencer Limited, a Warwickshire-based manufacturer of medals and ceremonial attire, supplying clients including the Royal Family, the Armed Forces and the British Government, fell into administration last month, with Gareth Wilcox and Trevor Binyon of Opus Restructuring appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to June 30 2024, the company’s fixed assets were valued at around £132,000 and current assets at £4.8 million, but net liabilities amounted to slightly over £917,000.

SERT Training Limited - January 27
SERT Training Limited, a Hampshire-based provider of training courses for tradespeople, fell into administration last month, with Matthew Mills and James Saunders of KR8 Advisory appointed as joint administrators. Mills and Saunders were also appointed as joint administrators of holding company SERT Group Limited on the same day.

In accounts for the year to March 31 2025, SERT Training Limited’s fixed assets were valued at around £63,000 and current assets at approximately £2.1 million, while net liabilities totalled close to £32,500.

Roadform Civil Engineering Company Limited - January 28
Roadform Civil Engineering Company Limited, a groundworks contractor based in Devon, fell into administration last month, with David Kirk and Daniel Jeeves of Kirks appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to October 31 2024, the company reported turnover of £31.3 million, up from £27.9 million a year earlier, but saw operating profits fall from £2 million to around £516,000. At the time, its fixed assets were valued at £3 million and current assets at £12 million, while net assets totalled approximately £6.4 million.

E.J. Taylor & Sons Limited - January 28
E.J. Taylor & Sons Limited, a civils and groundworks contractor based in Chelmsford, fell into administration last month, with Glyn Mummery and Julie Humphrey of FRP Advisory appointed as joint administrators.

The company filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators (NOI) in December 2025, with the intention of marketing the business in the hopes of securing a pre-pack sale.

In accounts for the year to March 31 2024, the company reported turnover of £41.1 million, down from £46.4 million the previous, while falling from an operating profit of around £690,000 to a loss of approximately £2.5 million.

The firm’s losses were attributed to cost inflation at two large contract sites, supply costs, lead times and a slower housing market.

At the time, its fixed assets were valued at £2.9 million and current assets at £7.8 million, with net assets amounting to approximately £198,000.

Cauki Limited - January 28
Cauki Limited, trading as Claire’s UK & Ireland, a major accessories retailer, fell into administration last week, with Philip Dakin, Benjamin Wiles and Janet Burt of Kroll Advisory appointed as joint administrators.

The collapse came just four months after the company was acquired out of administration by Modella Capital in a rescue deal and was attributed to a significantly higher tax burden and demands from landlords.

In the 53 weeks ending February 3 2024, former trading company, Claire’s Accessories UK Limited, reported turnover of around £137 million, down from slightly over £138 million in the year to January 28 2023, while post-tax losses increased from £3.3 million to £4.7 million.

At the time, its fixed assets were valued at around £67.6 million and current assets at £47.5 million, with net assets amounting to approximately £3.8 million.

Find out more about Claire’s falling into administration once more

Cliffedge 10 Newquay Limited - January 29
Cliffedge 10 Newquay Limited, a construction developer based in Newquay, fell into administration last week, with Nicholas Simmonds and Chris Newell of Quantuma Advisory appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to January 31 2025, the company reported an operating loss of around £101,000. At the time, its fixed assets were valued at £2.1 million and current assets at approximately £18.4 million, but net liabilities exceeded £430,000.

The Factory Shop Limited - January 29
The Factory Shop Limited, a homeware retail chain trading as The Original Factory Shop, fell into administration last week, with Richard Harrison and James Clark of Interpath Advisory appointed as joint administrators.

Like Claire’s, The Original Factory Shop had been acquired by Modella Capital. Its collapse has been partly attributed to higher costs resulting from government policies and weak consumer confidence, with Modella saying that the business “doesn’t have a realistic possibility of trading profitably again”.

The joint administrators have said that the business will continue trading on high streets while its options are assessed, but the company’s website ceased taking new orders as of January 28.

In the year to March 31 2024, The Factory Shop Limited reported turnover of £117.5 million, down from £118.7 million a year earlier, while falling from an operating profit of £863,000 to a loss of £1.6 million.

At the time, its fixed assets were valued at £9.8 million and current assets at £97.9 million, with net assets totalling approximately £7 million.

Engage Works Limited - January 30
Engage Works Limited, a London-based design agency, fell into administration last month, with Lisa Alford and Chris Parkman of Purnells appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to December 30 2024, the company’s fixed assets were valued at £1 million and current assets at £3 million, with net assets amounting to £992,000.

Insurestreet Limited - February 2
Insurestreet Limited, a Sevenoaks-based rental and leasing services company trading as Canopy Rent, fell into administration last week, with Matthew Haw and Graham Bushby of RSM UK Restructuring Advisory appointed as joint administrators.

In accounts for the year to September 30 2024, the company’s assets were valued at around £2 million, but net liabilities totalled approximately £519,000.

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