Entrepreneur Sarah Raven buys her business back & more business news you might have missed from the past week

Successfully running your own business means planning for all eventualities ahead of time. 

Several firms across the country might now be having to make quick and uncomfortable decisions if they use hosepipes as bans come into place across the country. 

The unexpected downtime might give them some additional opportunities to think about their business and where it’s going in the rest of the year including catching up on all the important and interesting business and insolvency news stories you might have missed from the past seven days. 

So if you want to know what happens when small businesses overlook accountants; why a Time To Pay arrangement could help businesses with HMRC arrears; how to react if your business suddenly receives a CCJ and how you can give your business a summer boost – you can read all these stories and more at our advice centre page.

Sarah Raven bought by Sarah Raven

Sarah Raven, founder of her namesake gardening and lifestyle retail brand has acquired the brand once more in a pre-pack administration deal. 

Launched in 2008, SarahRaven.com has delivered millions of plants, bulbs, seeds and horticultural products to customers across the UK. The business faced further challenges with a 35% decline in sales after Covid-19 and ongoing financial pressures due to cost inflation, increased National Insurance costs, unseasonal weather and the implementation of new ERP systems, the business faced further challenges from an unexpected VAT demand from HMRC that led directors to consider their options. 

They decided that a sale of assets to the original founder was the best option, ensuring continuity, maintaining employment and providing a foundation for the brand’s future. 

Sarah Raven said: “The past few years have been challenging for British horticultural retailers, supplies and entrepreneurs and despite significant effort, this restructure was necessary to ensure the ongoing viability of SarahRaven.com.”

Summit 1977

A Wiltshire furniture manufacturer has been brought out of administration, preserving 53 positions. 

Summit 1977 has produced hand-crafted furniture for almost 50 years before being sold in a pre-pack administration deal to the Advanced Furniture group. 

A statement issued on behalf of the business said: “Summit 1977 not only had a good history but a strong asset base and a fantastic product as well as long-serving, loyal and very talented employees. 

“This made it attractive to the right buyer and the new owners will be able to take the business forward and build on the back of the strong foundations it had relied on since its inception almost 50 years ago.”

Loch Lomond Seaplanes

A tourism business that has been treating visitors to Loch Lomond with spectacular views for over 20 years has ceased trading and gone into administration. 

Loch Lomond Seaplanes has cancelled all its flights and updated its website to confirm that it has ceased trading. 

The company was founded in 2003 by David West and also offered regular flights between Loch Lomond and the Isle of Skye. 

The business had struggled to obtain vital parts for the seaplanes due to supply chain issues which resulted in the vehicles being grounded for four months and eventually repossessed. 

Directors confirmed that the subsequent loss of income together with refund requests from customers and ongoing overheads led to the company falling behind with its VAT liabilities and ultimately HMRC petitioned the courts to wind up the company.”

Moore Media

One of Liverpool’s longest-established and respected PR & Marketing agencies has gone into voluntary liquidation. 

Moore Media was founded in 2012 by Jayne Moore specialising in waterfront regeneration, growth strategy, reputation management, crisis management and integrating social value within ESG strategies. 

A statement from Ms Moore said: “I have made the really difficult decision to close Moore Media. 

“20 years ago this month, I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and reflecting around that really made me take stock. 

“The intense challenges of surviving and growing a small agency post Covid, with the impossible government policies that are stacking up against SME entrepreneurs, I simply chose life not stress. I chose my family and health over everything.”

She is launching a new business called Octio Communications which will take on the accounts of several clients. 

Nelson’s Distillery & School

An Artisan spirits brand known for crafting exclusive blends for the likes of chefs such as Michel Roux Jr and Matt Tebbutt has gone into administration. 

Nelson’s Distillery & School have operated in Uttoxeter for nearly ten years after being formed by former chef Neil Harrison. They gained prominence with their London Dry No.7 gin and their Signature Blend Rum. 

The business includes a fully equipped distillery and a 14-station Gin School.

Following the death of their founder, the business experienced significant operational disruption and has been placed into administration to protect the brand while a buyer is sought.

Airship Interactive

A Cheshire-based software company that has worked on some of the biggest titles in the past few years has gone into administration. 

Airship Interactive provided digital artwork for titles such as Spider Man 2; EA FC 24 and Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order. 

The company was formed by Joe Harford in Lytham St Annes in 2008.  They have also previously worked with Microsoft, Disney Interactive, 2K Games and Sony Playstation Studios employing 78 members of staff in the latest available information. 

In a statement Joe Harford said: “The Airship Interactive brand is now operating as Airship, a specialist creative studio focused on character art, under a new parent company: Airmergent. 

“The leadership team and staff previously from Airship Interactive will lead the new business, which will serve the evolving games industry by delivering excellence more efficiently.”

MJ Harris Repairs

A family-run plumbing, heating, electrical and drainage company in South Wales has ceased trading after experiencing a downturn in trading performance. 

MJ Harris Repairs operated across South Wales, the Midlands and West of England. 

Directors admitted that a downturn in trading had resulted in significant HMRC arrears. They were able to reach a Time to Pay agreement with HMRC in late 2024 but their trading difficulties have continued into 2025.

Recent revenue forecasts and ongoing cash-flow difficulties have forced directors to take proactive steps to cease trading and appoint administrators to help with the orderly shutdown of the business. 

21 employees have been made redundant as a result.

Queen Margaret’s School

A girls’ boarding school in North Yorkshire has gone into administration and announced their closure after 125 years of operating. 

Queen Margaret’s School was formed just south of York in 1901 and was a boarding and day school for girls aged 11 to 18. 

Notable alumni included businesswoman Amanda Staveley; actor, director and playwright Ann Jellicoe and Katharine, Duchess of Kent. 

The Board of Governors launched an extensive 18-month strategic review that explored merger, sale and investment options, none of which ultimately proved viable. They subsequently made the decision to close the school at the end of the 2024/25 academic year. 

In common with a number of other independent schools, Queen Margaret’s faced a combination of external cost pressures that significantly impacted its financial sustainability. 

These included the removal of charitable business rates relief from April 2025, the introduction of 20% VAT on school fees, increased employer National Insurance contributions and falling enrolment levels further compounding these challenges. 

The school ceased operating following the completion of the summer term on July 5th 2025.

Skate Hut

A Midland’s based Skateboard, scooter and bike retailer has been rescued in a pre-pack administration deal by new owners, preserving over 100 jobs. 

Skate Hut Ltd are based in Halesowen and had been one of the first retailers in the UK to stock Heely’s footwear and have expanded since into a major provider of action sports equipment and apparel. 

Principally operating as an ecommerce retailer in the UK but with global customers, they also had to UK stores. 

Following the issuing of a winding-up petition by a creditor of the business, the company went into administration which immediately preceded a sale to new owners.

Directors said that the sale “preserves the jobs of Skate Hut’s large workforce, whilst also offering protection to all customers with unfulfilled orders.”

Greenfold Systems

A motor manufacturing firm in Dunfermline has gone into administration following the decision of a major customer to move out of Scotland and cease operations there. 

Greenfold Systems Ltd has ceased trading with the loss of 81 positions as a result. 

The company almost exclusively supplied parts to bus company Alexander Dennis Limited but the contract was withdrawn when Dennis’ plans were announced. 

Nine employees have been retained on a short-term basis to complete an existing contract and help facilitate the wind-down of the business.

Adarma

A Scottish cybersecurity firm has filed a Notice of Intent to appoint an administrator. 

Adarma were founded and are based in Edinburgh since 2009 and were acquired by a private equity firm in 2019. A new CEO and Chairman were appointed in September 2024 to help the company continue their security operations for “modern global enterprises, providing cybersecurity consulting, technology and managed security services for their clients.”

Their clients span a range of industries including financial services, critical national infrastructure and highly targeted organisations in the FTSE 350. 

The Ancora Project

A Charity service in Oldham that has “transformed people’s lives” for over eight years is closing down at the end of the month. 

The Ancora Project was based in the town library and provided vital services to vulnerable people in the community including those facing homelessness, debt battles or struggling with basic necessities like food.

The service was funded through grants from The National Lottery for eight years but was unable to find alternative funding. 

A spokesperson for Ancora said: “Whilst the Ancora project is closing, citizens can continue to access support from Christians Against Poverty and Oldham foodbank.”

There is still plenty of time for you to make any changes you feel are needed to reach your goals in 2025 – water ban or not.

Get in touch with us today and chat to one of our advisors about what options you have on the table – it’s usually more than you might realise.

The sooner you make contact, the sooner you can begin to make the rest of the year a memorable one for you and your business.