Top rugby club in administration as more charities close

It’s been quite a week news-wise hasn’t it? 

So there’s probably many  interesting and important business and insolvency news stories from the past seven days you haven’t seen. 

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Cardiff RUFC

Cardiff Rugby Union Football Club have served a formal notification that they intend to enter administration. 

A statement was issued from the Welsh Rugby Union saying: “We are aware Cardiff Rugby have confirmed a notice of intention to appoint administrators. We are working closely with the Cardiff board and the administrators to safeguard the future of professional rugby in Cardiff.”

The Notice of Intention (NOI) was filed in court on Tuesday effectively giving the club two weeks to explore options. 

The board of directors said: “Cardiff Rugby can confirm notice of intention to appoint administrators has been filed. Please rest assured that everything possible is being done to protect our employees and the future of the club. We have a plan in place and will update you as soon as possible.”

Helford Capital Limited acquired a majority 84.55 shareholding approved by an AGM of members 16 months ago that saw Sir Gareth Edwards appointed as club president. 

This is the latest big name club to go into administration with Worcester, Wasps and London Irish all entering administration in the 2022/23 season.

None of them have returned to action although Worcester are planning to return to a new 14 club Tier 2 league next season.

Active Nation

A charity that runs several leisure centres for various UK councils has ceased trading 

Active Nation UK operated leisure facilities in Southampton, Aldershot and Lincoln acknowledged the disappointment caused by the closures but noted the inability to find a new operator as a key factor in the decision.

The facilities include snowsports centres, leisure centres, outdoor sports pitches, swimming pools and outdoor activities centres.

The various councils are trying to make alternative arrangements and plans for activities and events scheduled to take place over the Easter school holidays. 

Southampton City Council have said they would be working to ensure that all memberships, bookings and staff would be transferred to Places Leisure, the council’s main contractor. 

City of Lincoln council expressed disappointment but stressed that the Lincoln 10K event will still proceed as planned from the Yarborough Leisure Centre despite its closure.

Transafe Logistics

A specialist transport firm operating for over 20 years based in Grimsby has declared its intention to appoint an administrator. 

Transafe Logistics operated out of additional bases in Doncaster and Swadlincote, Derbyshire with a fleet of 58 HGVs. 

The company said that trading prospects remained challenging due to macroeconomic market issues including the critical costs of employment and fuel.

60 positions are at risk of redundancy. 

Cross Guard

A data centre equipment manufacturer and installer based in Scunthorpe has gone into administration with the immediate loss of 17 positions. 

Cross-Guard Ltd had become unviable as a going concern but 22 staff have been retained to complete orders and complete installation contracts. 

A statement was issued on behalf of the business with administrators looking to find buyers for the company’s assets and goodwill. It continued: “It is very early days and administrators continue to work through all the financial information in detail to establish and contact all of the creditors and debtors to understand the cause of the failure of the business, but it is already clear that the business was unviable.

“Sadly, redundancies have already been forced and more are expected once the current work in progress is completed and the contracted projects are fulfilled.”

Boardlink

A Welsh family-owned paper plate manufacturer has gone into administration with more than 50 positions being made redundant. 

Boardlink Limited was first established in 1966 in Hawarden, Flintshire. It manufactured carton board sheeting, board lamination, paper plates, ready meal trays and industrial-grade wipes. 

Despite Boardlink being profitable and trading well, a key supplier of raw materials to the business abruptly cut its longstanding contract. With little notice, the directors were unable to find a supplier in time that could support a business of its size and were left with no option but to cease trading and appoint administrators. 

A statement issued by the board of directors said: “The administration of Boardlink has come as a tremendous shock to everyone at the company. It had long been a proud and thriving family business but through no fault of its own, had the rug pulled out from under it.”

Breyer Group

A 69-year-old Essex roofing business employing more than 250 staff has appointed administrators. 

The Breyer Group was founded in 1956 and the son of the founder is still the CEO and majority shareholder. They specialise in roofing, repair and refurbishment services but had been hit by “a number of financial difficulties and cash flow constraints as a result of certain contracts. This led to significant pressure from creditors meaning administrators were appointed to explore all options, including a potential sale of certain parts of the business.”

The company operates across the South and South East of England with a client roster including councils, housing associations and major landlords.

Age Concern Christchurch

A charity helping improve the quality of life for senior citizens in Dorset has ceased trading and gone into liquidation. 

Age Concern Christchurch (ACC) was formed in 1980 and had been operating for over fifty years in the area. 

A spokesperson for the charity said: “As a result of a significant fall in income from the retail shops and the rising costs, the reserves which the charity held had made its continued operation unsustainable. 

“After 50 years of helping the older people of Christchurch with loneliness and isolation we want to thank all of those who have worked tirelessly over that period to improve the daily lives of residents.”

Orr Decorators

A well-known Scottish decorator has gone into liquidation. 

Orr Decorators was formed more than 40 years ago in Coatbridge near Glasgow and employed 32 staff providing professional painting and decorating services. 

They worked on a portfolio of projects across the construction, housing, distribution, healthcare, education, manufacturing and local authority sectors but had incurred losses as a result of rising costs and overheads which in turn led to cashflow pressures. 

With further losses anticipated and no immediate way to rectify the situation, the directors decided to cease trading with immediate effect and make all 32 staff redundant.

Jetline

A Travel business that has been trading since 2000 has gone into administration and ceased trading with immediate effect. 

Jetline Travel were based in Barnet, North London, and had 800 forward bookings and 20 customers overseas after Carnival brands Princess Cruises, Cunard and Holland America Line announced the cancellation of “some outstanding bookings through Jetline Holidays due to breach of contract.”

Jetline had left ABTA in November 2020 while being investigated for its handling of customer refunds during the pandemic, leaving it without ABTA protection of pipeline monies. 

The company had been looking for buyers through an accelerated sale ahead of going into administration but was unsuccessful. 

Winfields

An East Lancashire outdoor clothing and equipment chain that operated seven stores has gone into administration to better manage rising debts. 

Winfields have been based in Haslingden for over 50 years and the store there will continue to remain open and trade as will the online website but stores in Chester, Redditch, Leeds, Hull, Keswick and Swadlingcote in Derbyshire have all closed with immediate effect. 

This means the loss of close to 200 positions. 

The company began struggling after the Covid-19 pandemic which impacted not only sales but also supply chain issues with increased costs as well as seasonal issues.

With Easter on the horizon, it’s only natural that many business owners and directors will feel that they need a break. 

But running your own company often means that even if your staff and suppliers get to turn on an “out-of-office” – you won’t. 

Running a business is a lonely place. It can feel if the world itself is acting against you, usually at the time when you need the most help – especially in weeks like this  

This is why we offer a free initial consultation to any director who wants one – no matter what the financial circumstances of their firm or the wider world

So whatever you had planned for 2025 and beyond – whether it’s expansion, consolidation or even survival – we’ll be able to help. 

The sooner you get in touch, generally the more options you’ll have and time to implement them – whatever the President thinks he’ll do today.