Toys R Us

In April 2018, Toys R Us UK closed down all their remaining stores and had a 70% sale to shift remaining stock. Online sales ceased on 28 February 2018 and the last stores closed on 24 April 2018

• Administrators: Moorfields Advisory Limited
• Year Founded: 1985
• Total Number of Employees: 3000
• Total Number of Jobs Lost: 2000
• Number of Retail Shops: 100
• Managing Director/CEO: Dave Brandon

Maplin

On 28 February 2018. Maplin went into administration. On 25 June 2018 all Maplin stores ceased trading. In August 2018, BuyItDirect purchased the Maplin name. A Maplin themed website to open soon as an online only shop. Weak consumer environment and the devaluation of the Pound lead to a decrease in sales and very little interest for a buy out.

• Administrators: Zelf Hussain, Toby Underwood and Ian Green of PwC
• Year Founded: 1976
• Total Number of Employees: 2300
• Total Number of Jobs Lost: 2300
• Number of Retail Shops: 217
• Managing Director/CEO: Graham Harris

Prezzo

The restaurant chain fell short of going into administration by entering into a company voluntary arrangement to enable the business to survive. The closures will allow the chain to exit unprofitable branches and save on rent, as well as paying off creditors over a fixed period.

• Administrators: N/A. Entered into CVA
• Year Founded: 2000
• Total Number of Employees: 4,500
• Total Number of Jobs Lost: 500
• Number of Retail Shops: 94 close | 200 remain open
• Managing Director/CEO: Jon Hendry Pickup

Mothercare

In May 2018, it was confirmed that Mothercare would close 60 stores in the United Kingdom. A restructure plan was put into place in an attempt to save itself from its dangerous financial position.

• Administrators: N/A Entered into CVA
• Year Founded: 1961
• Total Number of Employees: 3000
• Total Number of Jobs Lost: 900
• Number of Retail Shop Closures: 60
• Managing Director/CEO: David Wood

Poundworld

With stiff competition from rivals like PoundLand and the increasingly weaker pound in the Brexit economy, Poundworld announced all of its stores would close by the 10th of August 2018.

• Administrators: Deloitte
• Year Founded: 1974
• Total Number of Employees: 5,100
• Total Number of Jobs Lost: 5,100
• Number of Retail Shop Closures: 335 
• Managing Director/CEO: Chris Edwards

Warren Evans

Under pressure for some time, the company cited it had been struggling under the pressure of rising manufacturing costs and dimishing customer spending. The company made its beds and furniture at a green manufacturing site in east London and used timber from sustainable forests.

• Administrators: Allan Graham and Geoffrey Bouchier
• Year Founded: 1978
• Total Number of Employees: 287
• Total Number of Jobs Lost: 287
• Number of Retail Shop Closures: 14
• Managing Director/CEO: Warren Evans

Cloggs

In 2013 footwear business, Cloggs, was bought out of administration in 2013 by JD Sports. However, the brand needed much more investment than was expected and the remaining stores were shut down in January 2018. The company originally started out in The Oasis in Birmingham and was founded by the late Russell Thomas. cloggs.co.uk was launched in 1998, and after Thomas fell ill, his son took care of expanding the website which was said to be ahead of its time. Cloggs was eventually turning over £2 million by 2005. However, when the ressession hit, so did sales.

• Administrators: N/A
• Year Founded: 1979
• Total Number of Employees: 20
• Total Number of Jobs Lost: 20
• Number of Retail Shop Closures: 3
• Managing Director/CEO: Peter Cowgill

Saltrock Surfwear

Devon-based Salt Rock Surfwear was saved in 2018 after it went into administrations with auditors KPMG on August 17 . By 23 August however, KPMG was able to secure a sale to a subsidiary of the Crew Clothing Co.

Administrators: KMPG prior to buy out by out by a subsidiary Crew Clothing Co.
Year Founded: 1988
Total Number of Employees: 167
Total Number of Jobs Lost: 29
Number of Retail Shop Closures: 5 (out of 30)
Managing Director/CEO: Stephen Harvey

Homebase

Homebase was sold to restructuring specialist Hilco after a botched retail takeover by Australian business, Wesfarmers, in 2016 which originally saw Homebased purchased for £340 million. Wesfarmers had intended to give the well-known DIY chain a £500 million facelift. Despite this, they had not anticipated the competition in the UK market, and had made some ill informed decisions on products and management. As a result they handed over the entire 250-store chain for just £1.

Administrators: N/A Bought by Hilco
Year Founded: 1979
Total Number of Employees: 12,000
Total Number of Jobs Lost: 1500
Number of Retail Shop Closures: 42
Managing Director/CEO: Damian McGloughlin

Byron

The burger chain was forced into a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) due to increased competition from delivery companies and pressure on the whole of the casual dining market. This is in addition to rising labour costs, business rates, rent and food inflation. Byron were forced to scale down the number of restaurants in order to focus on a smaller number of profitable.

• Administrators: N/A but KPMG acting as CVA advisors
• Year Founded: 200
• Total Number of Employees: 1800
• Total Number of Jobs Lost: —
• Number of Retail Shop Closures: 20 out of 70
• Managing Director/CEO: Simon Cope