A famous Blackpool cabaret venue and two big firms are saved in pre-pack deals this week.
While January feels to be stretching on forever, hopefully your business has started it well and will become the template for the rest of the year.
There’s also plenty of time for things to pick up and improve too.
Either way, we hope you’ve got a few minutes to spare to catch up on all the important and interesting stories you might have missed in the past seven days.
So if you want to know why business insolvencies in England and Wales went down last month; but rose in Scotland; what business owners need to know about financial changes happening in 2026; how your accountants can drive these changes and you can read a director’s guide to Accelerated Payment Notices (APN) – read all these stories and more at our advice centre page.
Caldwell Construction
A major groundworks construction company servicing several national housebuilders has gone into administration placing 400 positions in jeopardy.
Caldwell Construction is based across two main sites in Stoke-on-Trent and Warrington. They are a corporate partner of Stoke City FC with the South Stand at the bet365 Stadium named “The Caldwell Construction Stand”.
A statement from directors of the company said: “The construction sector has faced challenging trading conditions over recent years, including increasing costs, delays to schemes and wider market uncertainty. These pressures were exacerbated at Caldwell in recent weeks, placing significant strain on cashflow and operations.
“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.”
Funny Girls
A world-famous and ground-breaking cabaret club venue in Blackpool has been purchased by new owners after going into administration.
Funny Girls (Ellis Noble Leisure) is an internationally recognised drag and burlesque cabaret venue that has played a prominent and visible role in LGBTQ+ culture. The business employs around 30 staff with a similar number of performers engaged on a self-employed basis.
The bar is a five-floor, Grade II listed former cinema building in Blackpool with a large auditorium, restaurant space, nightclub and other performance areas. They had previously been in administration in 2018 before being acquired and returned to the control of the founder Basil Newby OBE who announced their intentions to retire after more than 30 years at the helm.
He said: “It’s been a wonderful journey opening up in Blackpool. I love this town and it’s been an incredible experience.
“I wanted to make sure Funny Girls goes to people who truly understand and care about it, rather than someone just coming in without that knowledge. I’m confident the new owners are the right ones. I’m thankful it’s happened, I’m 75 now and it’s just too much for me.”
CF Booth
One of Europe’s largest independently-run metal recycling companies has gone into administration with 54 members of staff being made redundant with immediate effect.
CF Booth were founded in Rotherham in the 1920s and are still headquartered in the town growing from being a local metal trader to a major centre for the processing of ferrous and non-ferrous metals and recycling materials for a wide-range of customers across the UK and beyond.
Directors admit that the company has experienced significant trading difficulties over recent months, exacerbated by rising energy and copper prices as well as increases to the National Living Wage and the impact of environmental legislation, VAT and HSE penalties, and other regulatory pressures, all of which impacted cashflow.
Directors explored all available options including reinvestment or sales but with no solvent outcomes available, the decision was made to appoint administrators.
Operations have ceased at the company’s headquarters while options are explored for a possible sale of the business with 114 members of staff retained to assist.
A statement from administrators said: “CF Booth has a long and storied heritage in South Yorkshire, not least for its role as one of the largest rolling stock recyclers in the country, working with several of the main rail operating companies.
“However, as one of the largest manufacturers of copper-based products in the UK, the company has also been hit hard by the tremendous surge in copper prices seen over recent months. This, coupled with broader economic headwinds, placed unsustainable pressure on cashflow.”
Moore’s Furniture Group Pre-pack
A West Yorkshire furniture manufacturer founded in 1947 is being purchased by Wren Kitchens in a pre-pack deal after going into administration.
Moores Furniture Group are based in Wetherby and while 124 positions have been made redundant initially, the remaining 336 staff will be retained.
Moores supplied kitchens mainly to housebuilders as well as to the public sector and affordable housing developers. Like many other companies in the building and construction supply chain, the business had experienced challenging trading conditions in recent months, exacerbated by rising input costs and low levels of housebuilding activity.
Directors looked at various options including a sale and investment but when no solvent outcomes were available, they made the decision to enter administration.
A statement from the business confirmed the deal and said: “We are pleased to have been able to secure a transaction which provides an opportunity to minimise disruption for customers and suppliers and which will enable Moores’ heritage in kitchen manufacturing to continue as part of the Wren family.”
Malin + Goetz
A skincare and fragrance brand with seven London stores has gone into administration with their immediate closure and a pause in UK online sales.
Malin + Goetz was established in New York in 2004 by Matthew Malin and Andrew Goetz, the business set out to “uncomplicate skincare” launching six products designed to work for all skin types. Over more than two decades, the brand expanded into fragrances, bodycare and other beauty categories, becoming a recognised name in the global premium beauty market.
A statement issued by the business said: “Following an extensive review of the business and after exhausting all viable alternatives, we have taken the difficult but necessary decision to put our UK business into administration, resulting in the closure of all UK stores that we operate and our head office.
“We recognise the impact this will have on our colleagues and customers, and the loss of jobs is deeply regrettable but unavoidable under the circumstances.
The company said its UK e-commerce platform will continue to serve customers with a “short maintenance period” as technical operations transition to its US teams.
Spirit of Harrogate
A popular drinks retailer best known for the Slingsby Gin brand has gone into administration.
Spirit of Harrogate, which operates in the Spa town confirmed the news in a statement: “Unfortunately the business has, like many in its sector, struggled with rising costs and difficult trading conditions in recent years.
“Spirit of Harrogate is one of Harrogate’s iconic independent retailers and the Slingsby Gin product range is very well respected both locally and nationally.”
Originally founded in 2014 by local entrepreneurs Marcus Black and Mike Cathy, the company faced challenges in the increasingly turbulent hospitality and drinks market.
The business and assets are being marketed for sale as a going concern. The signature gin brand was named after the discovery of Harrogate’s Tewit Well in 1571 by William Slingsby which established the town as a spa destination.
Russell & Bromley
A historic high-end footwear retailer has been sold in a pre-pack administration sale to Next, securing three stores but questions remain over 33 more.
Russell & Bromley were founded in Sussex in 1879 growing to over 36 nationwide stores and nine concessions in Fenwicks stores, employing 440 people.
Next purchased the brand and certain other assets including three stores in Chelsea, Mayfair and the Bluewater Shopping Centre. The remaining stores and concessions were not part of the transaction and will remain open and trading while administrators continue to assess options for them.
Chief Executive Andrew Bromley said: “Following a strategic review with external advisers, we have taken the difficult decision to sell the Russell & Bromley brand. This is the best route to secure the future of the brand and we’d like to thank our staff and customers for their support.”
If 2026 hasn’t begun with a bang – there’s still lots of time for it to catch fire and propel it to greater heights.
Get in touch with us to arrange a free initial chat with one of our advisors. Once they get a better idea of the circumstances you face along with your plans then they’ll be able to let you know what practical options you have to improve your situation – usually more than you thought.
The sooner you make contact, the sooner you can begin to move forward to the future you want this year.