Two charities close and another goes into administration – what else has happened this week?
We hope you arrive at the long Easter weekend in good shape and are able to enjoy a well-earned break – not just away from work but also from the news!
But if you want to check in then we’ve got all the important and interesting business and insolvency news stories from the past seven days.
So if you want to know why directors have a short window to act to get the most out of their MVL; why business insolvencies have risen for the third month in a row; why a wave of late payments is threatening to drown SMEs; practical advice on the first thing directors must do if they receive a CCJ and why a CIFAS marker could destroy your business if ignored – you can read all these stories and more right here at our advice centre.
Every Fresh Dairy
A London based dairy has gone into voluntary liquidation blaming oversupply and falling prices.
Ever Fresh Dairy supplied milk, bread, butter, cheese eggs and yoghurt to customers. Their product range included selected combined ingredients, positioning the business within the value-added dairy segment.
Dairy farmers and producers are operating in a difficult market environment with milk prices falling sharply since October 2025 by 15p per litre or around 40%. The decline has been driven by a surge in both domestic and global milk production.
Milk supply in the UK is now outstripping the capacity of processors and consumer demand while national milk production is forecast to exceed 13 billion litres in 2026. The imbalance has created a wave of financial pressure across the entire dairy chain from farms to processors to distributors.
Fresh Dairy had already faced a winding-up petition in October 2025.
Fairoak Foods
A Woking-based food manufacturer has gone into administration.
Fairoak Foods were founded in 2011 and specialise in premium private-label food, small batch cooked with recipes for vegan soups, pastas and stews for retail, brands and food service operators.
The business has ceased trading while a buyer is sought for it and assets. No redundancies among the 60 employees have been announced.
A statement was issued from the business that said: “Fairoak Foods is recognised as a premium, private-label manufacturer of high-quality, chef-led food and should attract significant interest, despite having to cease to trade due to the company’s cashflow issues.
“The company has an experienced management team with deep sector knowledge and strong customer relationships.”
METRO Charity
One of the UK’s longest running LGBTQ+ charities has closed down after more than four decades, citing sustained financial pressure and an uncertain future.
METRO Charity confirmed it has ceased operations following an extensive review into its long-term sustainability after more than 18 months of attempts to stabilise the organisation’s finances.
METRO has provided health and community support across London and the South East including sexual health services, HIV support, mental health provision, youth services and advocacy. The charity also played a role in the protests against Section 28 and launched the UK’s first community-based HIV testing clinic.
At its peak, METRO supported tens of thousands of people each year through commissioned services, partnership and community-led programmes. Around 64 positions are being made redundant as a result.
Dawn Brown, chair of the board of trustees, said: “After extensive consideration, we have made the very difficult decision to close METRO charity. We know this news will be deeply upsetting for our staff, volunteers, partners and service users and our priority now is to ensure a responsible and compassionate wind-down.”
Age UK Kent Rivers
A charity supporting older people and adults with learning disabilities is going into liquidation after facing escalating financial challenges.
Age UK Kent Rivers has operated across Kent including Dartford, Sittingbourne and Gillingham since the 1970s.
A statement from the board of trustees said: “We can confirm that the charity has been experiencing significant cash flow challenges and is as such likely to enter into an insolvency process. This has been an extremely difficult decision.
“Over recent months, we have worked diligently to address significant and escalating financial challenges. Despite these efforts, the position has become unsustainable and we are no longer able to continue operating in our current form.
“We recognise this news will come as a shock and will be deeply upsetting to many, particularly our clients, staff, volunteers and partners. We share that sense of sadness and concern. Our immediate priority is to ensure that those who rely on our services are supported as effectively as possible during this transition.”
Approximately 12 permanent staff positions will be made redundant.
Medway Council said: “We’re working with Age UK Kent Rivers to ensure residents who are known to our adult social care team continue to receive the support they rely on. Our social care team will work closely with the residents, their families and carers to ensure appropriate care packages are put in place as soon as possible.”
UK Drivers and Logistics Solutions
A driver training business based in Stoke that also offers haulage services has gone into administration.
UK Drivers and Logistics Solutions was formed in 2019 and supplied LGV and non-LGV drivers to meet ad-hoc, temporary and permanent requirements. They also offered express, timed and 24-hour courier collection and same/next day delivery services in the UK and Europe.
They held an operator licence for 10 lorries and 10 trailers as well as offering Driver CPC courses.
JM Wholesale
One of the UK’s largest wholesalers of vape devices, e-liquids, disposable vapes and nicotine pouches has gone into administration and ceased trading with the loss of 19 positions.
JM Wholesale has been operating from their Leicester base since 2017.
Directors said their financial difficulties were attributable to additional restrictions brought into place by the government around vapes and how they are made and used, which resulted in a significant decline in trade.
Administrators will now look to obtain maximum value for the benefit of the company’s creditors.
Diamond and Dust
A London burlesque musical has gone into liquidation with several performances cancelled abruptly.
Diamonds and Dust producers have apologised to creditors, claiming a portion of investment in the show did not materialise and admitting it could have better managed the financial difficulties that came as a result.
A spokesperson for the new Emerald Theatre, which staged the first show and is owed more than £1 million, said the situation had left the venue “devastated” and scrambling to fill an empty diary.
The first show took place last July but less than a fortnight after the curtain rose, a month’s worth of scheduled performances were cancelled, with producers citing “growing pains” and necessary changes to the venue and the show.
The company behind the show, MPSI Ltd, owed more than 100 creditors. Julian Stoneman, managing director, said: “I personally recognise that aspects of Diamonds and Dust have not met expectations in the way any of us would have hoped and I am truly sorry for the concerns that have arisen and for any distress or inconvenience this may have caused.
“In hindsight, MPSI Ltd regrets that it was not able to better manage, pivot away from and/or communicate the financial realities experienced by the production to co-producers, the Emerald Theatre and the vendors.
“This is especially difficult given the dedication of so many individuals involved in the production. I feel deeply for the creditors affected and have made every personal effort to address matters where possible.”
Shojin Financial Services
A crowdfunding investment platform has gone into administration after funding projects worth £615 million.
Shojin Financial Services Ltd allowed customers to make investments that were used to fund loans in property developments since receiving authorisation from the Financial Conduct Agency (FCA) in 2017. They also traded as Shojin Property Partners and Smartlands Platform.
The company launched initially in 2009 as Shojin Capital to develop property before switching in 2015 to backing external developers moving from investing in its own projects towards backing other developers requiring junior funding. They launched their online investment platform in 2017.
The FCA said: “While investors are not always classed as creditors, they should still benefit if the joint administrators can recover as much value as possible from the property development companies involved. We’re engaging with the firm and the joint administrators to ensure the best outcomes for investors.”
William Blake House
A care group that supports vulnerable adults in Northamptonshire has gone into administration.
William Blake House runs four care homes for adults with learning disabilities in Towcester, Northamptonshire, and is currently under investigation by the Charity Commission for “serious concerns around possible financial management”.
Amy Spiller, head of investigations at the Charity Commission, said administration would provide “a breathing space” for William Blake House.
The charity was first registered in 2001, came to the commission’s attention in November 2025 over “financial and governance concerns”. In February, a compliance case opened by the commission into William Blake House was escalated due to “serious concerns around possible financial mismanagement”.
It then opened a statutory inquiry in March after appointing an interim manager, assessing the charity’s finances and governance. Following the assessment, the interim manager concluded that administration was necessary to protect residents and manage financial affairs.
The charity owed more than £1.5m to HMRC as of June 2025. After applying to the High Court to place the charity into administration, joint administrators were appointed.
Ms Spiller added: “Continuity of care is a priority and efforts are being made by all involved to minimise disruption as much as possible. We’re monitoring events closely as part of our ongoing inquiry.”
The Charity Commission said a report would be published at the conclusion of the inquiry, detailing findings, conclusions and any regulatory action.
No matter what line of business you operate in, these could be a nervous few weeks and months ahead.
Be proactive and take the time now to get in touch with us to arrange a free initial consultation.
Our advisors will be able to talk through your current situation and your plans for the business and let you know what options you have available that you might not have considered.
The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin to work together and make your plans a reality – even sooner.