25-year-old Entertainment venues close along with a Championship Rugby League side
Hopefully this wet February weather isn’t dampening your spirits or your business prospects.
We’re six weeks into the new year already and a lot has happened – including this week which is why we gather all the interesting and important from the past seven days.
So if you want to know more about Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery (CRAR); how to best protect the crown jewels (intellectual property) of your business; if a Notice of Intention (NOI) is breathing space or a binding commitment; and why administration is better than liquidation for creditor returns – you can read all these stories and more right here at our advice centre.
Bistro Live
A live entertainment venue operator that had been operating for over 25 years has closed months after being acquired in a pre-pack administration deal.
Bistro Live had locations in Nottingham, Leicester and Milton Keynes and was purchased by FM Hospitality in October 2025.
A statement published on the company website said they had made the “incredibly difficult decision to permanently close after 25 unforgettable years.
“This decision has not come easily but the ongoing economic challenges facing hospitality in the UK have made it impossible for us to continue.”
Prior to the purchase, Bistro Live had been significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, facing a mandatory closure for 18 months. Despite government support and internal cost-saving measures, it had accrued substantial debt during this period.
Although the business achieved a rebuild in subsequent years, the burden of pandemic-era debt remained a persistent challenge. Following a quieter summer period exacerbated by cost-of-living pressures, the business eventually ran out of cash.
Frog Bikes
A well-known children’s bike manufacturer has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators.
Frog Bikes were formed in 2013 by Jerry and Sherry Lawson who described the NOI as a precautionary measure following an industry backdrop of rising costs, low consumer spending and tighter financial constraints.
Jerry said: “This step offers short-term protection to allow the business to explore potential funding and restructuring solutions in an orderly manner.”
He said the company saw “exceptional growth” during the Covid pandemic but has since struggled with “a series of significant and well-documented challenges” such as supply chain disruption and growing industry costs.
“These challenges were compounded by the effects of Brexit, which added further complexity, cost and uncertainty to international trade and disruption.”
The company employs 62 people and Lawson stressed that there is still strong demand for their range of lightweight bikes, specifically their children’s range. He continued: “The business remains the clear market leader in premium children’s bikes in the UK and continues to be trusted by parents and loved by children.
“Frog Bikes is continuing to trade while all options for the future of the company are being explored. The NOI provides short-term protection for the business while this process takes place. All parties are committed to securing a positive outcome for the business, its employees and wider stakeholders.”
Lazy Jacks Yachtwear
A Devon-based lifestyle clothing brand has been bought out in a pre-pack deal.
The business and assets of Lazy Jacks Yachtwear Limited was purchased by a new business – Lazy Jacks Clothing Company Limited.
The company specialised in clothing and footwear and is best known for colourful sweatshirts as well as unique prints across tunics and skirts, all designed inhouse.
The business was founded in 2002 and had stores across the South West including Cornwall, Somerset and Wales. They were also sold by independent stockists from across the country.
Piglets Pantry
A bakery that provided pies to Brighton and Hove Albion and Portsmouth FC has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators.
Piglets Pantry was based in Decoy Road, Worthing and caters for matchdays at both grounds. Portsmouth FC issued a statement saying: “We are deeply concerned about the situation.
“We’re liaising with the insolvency practitioners on an ongoing basis about these issues and are pressing them for urgent solutions. This is a very unfortunate situation for Piglet’s Pantry and, more importantly, the individuals affected. PFC is trying to do all we can in the circumstances to find solutions.”
The bakery began providing Brighton and Hove Albion with pies in 2011 and have sold thousands of pies at sporting events across the UK including Wimbledon and other football clubs including Chelsea, Leicester City and Swansea City.
Halifax Panthers
Championship Rugby League side Halifax Panthers have been placed into liquidation this week.
The club were formally Rugby League champions and Challenge Cup Winners in the 1980s but the 153-year-old team were wound-up in court because of money owed to HMRC.
They won their first Championship fixtures on February 1st against Batley.
A statement issued by the board said: “Discussions will now begin around the future of the club. Our focus is on working with all parties to secure the best possible outcome and a sustainable future for Halifax Panthers.
“This is not necessarily the end of the club and we will provide further updates as soon as we can.”
The Rugby Football League said: “The board of the RFL will meet to consider all options this week. Our thoughts are with the players, coaches, club staff and fans that will be affected on hearing the news.”
They are the third RFL Championship team to go into insolvency this season after Featherstone Rovers went into administration and Salford Red Devils were liquidated in December but reformed and unlike Rovers play in the Championship.
Autism Family Support Oxfordshire
An Oxfordshire autism charity has announced it will close next month “unless a funder, organisation or benefactors steps forward with significant support”.
Autism Family Support Oxfordshire is based in Abingdon and supports 4,000 families in the county providing support to children and young people up to 25 with autism diagnosis in finding school places and other support.
Liz Hickingbotham, chairwoman of trustees, said: “There is a significant fundraising deficit that has made it impossible to continue.
“This decision has not been taken lightly and comes in light of longstanding financial challenges. Over a significant period of time, the trustees and leadership team have sought to secure the organisation’s funding and future – including funding applications, income generation, appeals and cost reduction options.
“The decision to begin the closure process reflects our strong commitment to closing the charity responsibly and with care towards our staff, families and creditors.
“We recognise that this news may be upsetting for the families, supporters and partners who value AFSO’s work. We’re committed to handling our closure with transparency, care and respect. Our focus between now and March 31st is on supporting staff and families as sensitively as possible through this transition.”
Another charity in the town that did similar work – Autism Oxford UK – went into voluntary liquidation in October 2025.
Oxfordshire County Council said: “We are liaising with other local providers that organise holiday activities for children and young people with autism.”
Valiant Furniture
A Lancashire furniture manufacturer has confirmed it is closing through a Creditors; Voluntary Liquidation (CVL) as it is insolvent and can no longer meet its financial obligations.
Valiant Furniture Ltd is based in Wigan and is a family-run, manufacturing company that supplied furniture to independent retailers throughout the UK for more than 35 years using sustainable wood from North Wales and Cumbria.
The Ringmaker
A Scottish jewellery company has gone into liquidation with the loss of nine jobs.
The Ringmaker had two locations in Glasgow and Edinburgh and had been making bespoke jewellery since 1985 as leading engagement and wedding ring designers.
A petition was presented at Glasgow Sheriff Court to appoint liquidators to wind up Holkar Ltd and Ninety Four Ltd, the jewellers’ parent companies.
The liquidators confirmed their appointment and said the business had ceased trading and made redundancies before their appointment. They also said that they had returned the majority of jewellery to customers of both businesses and encouraged other customers with queries to get in touch with them.
Brean Theme Park
The UK’s largest free entry theme park has gone into liquidation after a difficult winter.
Brean Theme Park in Somerset was initially a camping and leisure site situated between Weston-Super-Mare and Burnham-on-Sea in the 1940s but developed into a sprawling amusement ground with more than 40 rides.
Despite opening seasonally from March to October each year, the family-run park had faced significant challenges due to dwindling visitor numbers following the pandemic.
The closure of the nearby Pontins Brean Sands, currently used to house Hinkley Point C workers rather than tourists, is said to have also severely impacted footfall.
A statement from the administrators said: “The company traded throughout the peak summer season of 2025 but the revenue generated over that time was insufficient to enable the company to sustain operations through the park’s usual winter closure.
GON Cleaning Services
A well-known window cleaning and building maintenance services company in Northern Ireland has gone into administration.
GON Cleaning Services were established in 2014 and based in Belfast.
Managing Director Zana O’Neill said: “For over 10 years, we have been the first port of call for many businesses across both public and private sectors seeking to contract-out all aspects of cleaning and facilities management.
“I’m proud that we continue to support businesses in every way we can so that they can focus on serving the public which, for some of our clients, involves literally life-saving work.
Nottingham Belfry & Spa
A four-star hotel and health spa in Nottinghamshire has ceased trading and gone into liquidation with the loss of 120 positions after being in administration for over a month.
The Nottingham Belfry & Spa is a well-established hotel offering over 120 guest bedrooms, a restaurant and bar, an event space and health spa.
The company had faced significant financial pressure in recent months due to wider factors in the hospitality industry and went into administration in January seeking to restructure and potentially find a buyer but this was unsuccessful.
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