Autumn might have made its entrance like the villain in a movie and while there is a lot to enjoy about colder, darker, shorter days there is still a third of the year remaining. 

That’s plenty of time to enjoy a strong finish and set your business up for a fast start into 2025 as well. 

But before then you can use a little bit of your time and attention to catch up with all the interesting and important business and insolvency news stories you might have missed from the past seven days. 

So if you want to know why directors who’ve been taken in by fake insolvency firms could be in trouble themselves; why small businesses are paying on average more than £5,000 on energy bills; why HMRC are warning about a sophisticated new scam aimed at directors and everything you ever wanted to know about Creditors Voluntary Liquidations (CVLs) – you can read all these stories and more at our advice centre page.

The Body Shop

Aurea, a growth capital investor, has acquired The Body Shop out of administration in a deal which will secure 1,300 UK jobs. 

The company went into administration in February when 75 shops were closed with the loss of 500 positions. Aurea co-founders Mike Jatania and Charles Denton will serve as executive chairman and chief executive respectively citing their proven track record in transforming heritage brands into sustainable growing businesses. 

Mike Jatania said: “With The Body Shop we have acquired a truly iconic brand with highly engaged consumers in over 70 markets around the world. 

“We plan to focus relentlessly on exceeding their expectations by investing in product innovation and seamless experiences across all of the channels where customers shop while paying homage to the brand’s ethical and activist positioning.”

 Glenevin LImited

A Livingstone-based civil engineering firm that worked on numerous full-fibre broadband network builds over recent years has gone into administration. 

Glenevin Limited was founded in 2013 as a multi-utility infrastructure development and maintenance firm operating all over the UK but predominantly in Scotland.  The company worked with UK operators such as OpenReach, CityFibre and Voneus. 

A statement from the directors of the business said that the company had gone into administration after a “material deterioration in market conditions which led to funding being withdrawn for many of the pipeline contracts” resulting in the business becoming unviable. 

Despite efforts to secure a buyer for the business as a going concern, this was not possible and the company subsequently ceased trading with all employees being made redundant with no other viable solution being offered.

Levantina

A stone company with operating bases in Basingstoke and Rotherham has gone into administration. 

Levantina UK is the UK distribution subsidiary of Levantina Group, a global, market-leading stone company specialising in extracting, producing and distributing stone products, including marble, granite, limestone and other natural stones.

The company serviced a base of more than 350 B2B clients including stonemasons and kitchen and bath studios who largely purchased semi-finished stones in slab form.

The appointed administrators are keeping the business running as a going concern while they explore all available options, retaining all 13 positions.

Colourchange UPVC

A Suffolk manufacturer has ceased trading and gone into liquidation just a year after it was purchased by new owners. 

Colourchange UPVC was purchased by Suffolk entrepreneur Paddy Bishopp in March 2023 and specialised in the installation of windows, doors and conservatories, providing a palette of colours for UPVC windows and doors. It works with double glazing businesses, architects and property development companies. 

A statement from Mr Bishopp said it was the hardest thing he’s ever been through. He said: “Eighteen months ago we purchased an 80% stake in Colourchange UPVC where the old owner – due to ill health – was looking at options including closing it.

“We secured the jobs of 13 staff and entered into a period of steady investment and growth but early this year the market turned. With a very heavy heart we’ve had to put the company into insolvency for reasons ultimately out of our control.”

C G Godfrey

A Lincolnshire headquartered construction firm has gone into administration and made all of its staff members redundant as a result. 

C G Godfrey had been trading for over 50 years from West Pinchbeck in Spalding, providing civil, mechanical and electrical engineering services, specialising in vacuum sewerage systems and deep drainage. 

The company provided services for a variety of customers including local authorities, private clients, water companies as well as district and county councils.

Despite efforts to find a buyer for the business as a going concern no firm offers were received and the business had insufficient working capital to continue trading. The company ceased operations with immediate effect and 23 positions were made redundant. 

A statement from the directors said: “It is deeply regrettable that C G Godfrey has been forced to cease trading due to a series of challenging circumstances. This was a sad ending for a long-established company. Our thanks go to all our employees who worked hard during a difficult time and gave the company every chance to find a buyer.”

Hadden Construction

A Scottish construction business has gone into administration and ceased trading with the loss of 70 positions this week. 

Hadden Construction was founded in 1992 and based in Perth and Kinross but had been battling increased expenses.

A statement from the business said: “Like other contractors, Hadden Construction has been battling a number of headwinds in recent years, including inflated materials prices, rising labour costs and supply chain interruptions. Administrators will orderly wind down operations and look to sell the company’s assets”.

Broad Lane Leisure

A Warwickshire caravan retailer has gone into administration with the loss of 34 positions. 

Broad Lane Leisure were formed in 1971 and supplied caravans, motorhomes and campervans across the UK. Unfortunately a reduction in demand resulted in challenging trading conditions that they were unable to overcome. 

A statement from directors confirmed that mounting pressures had left the company unable to meet its financial obligations. 

“Regrettably, this meant ceasing to trade and reducing the workforce to a skeleton staff. We are now exploring options for the business.”

DanTech

A Liverpool manufacturer with a base in Norfolk which exports food processing machinery across the world has gone into administration and ceased trading with the loss of six permanent positions.  

DanTech had been operating for more than 20 years with clients in China, the USA, South Africa and Australia. 

A brief statement from the directors confirmed that administrators had been appointed and that a sale of assets primarily consisting of food processing machinery was under way. 

They said: “The business has been hard hit by challenging economic conditions, not just here in the UK but in the multiple international markets in which we operated.”

We said at the start there is a third of the year left so there’s plenty of time to plan ahead for the rest of 2024 and beyond – but progress is not going to happen by magic.

Get in touch with us today to arrange a free initial consultation with one of our team of expert advisors at a time most convenient for you.

Once they get a better idea of your unique circumstances, they’ll be able to advise you on what options you have at your disposal and what you can do right now to begin to bring them to life.