Amid the first quarter of 2026, there has been a noticeable surge in UK businesses going into administration or closing down completely. Various sectors, such as high street retail, construction, food supply, and energy, have faced challenges this year, leading to job losses.
Recent reports indicated that 146 companies entered administration last month, as per notices published in The Gazette, the UK’s official public register. While this figure was 4% lower than January 2026, it represented a 30% increase compared to February 2025.
Notable company administrations include a major high street chain planning to shut its remaining stores, a fashion brand with a decade of trading history, a British gas company in operation for 13 years, and three other significant businesses.
For instance, Game, a leading high street chain, entered administration for the second time in over a decade due to underwhelming sales during the previous Christmas season. The company announced the closure of all standalone outlets starting from April, while its website will remain operational, and it will continue to have a presence within Sports Direct and House of Fraser stores.
Balibaris, a French menswear brand, has entered redressement judiciaire, which is the French equivalent of administration, as confirmed by the Paris Economic Activities Tribunal. Established in 2010, Balibaris caters to the premium-middle segment of the men’s fashion market with European-manufactured ranges and a modern tailoring approach.
Additionally, a Manchester-based gas equipment firm specializing in measurement and pressure control has gone into administration, with joint administrators appointed to oversee potential restructuring or asset disposal to settle debts. This company, with 50 years of gas engineering experience, has been providing technical solutions to the utilities sector since 2013.
Fly Play, an Icelandic carrier based in ReykjavÃk, has also entered administration, leading to the suspension of all flights. The airline, operational since June 2021, cited poor ticket sales, negative media coverage, and internal disagreements among employees as reasons for its decision.
Furthermore, Caldwell Construction Ltd, a construction firm operating in North West England and the Midlands, has entered administration due to financial pressures attributed to rising costs and project delays. The company’s assets are set to be auctioned by BPI Asset Advisory from March 23 to 27.
Lastly, UK property developer Kingsway SLG has appointed administrators after years of financial struggles following the insolvency of its parent company. The developer, known for refurbishing heritage buildings into popular hotels in Liverpool, faced bankruptcy in 2024, leading to the formal appointment of administrators in March 2026.