A furniture maker supplying M&S and John Lewis, a historic pottery company, and three other major UK businesses have entered administration recently, citing soaring operational costs
A UK furniture manufacturer, a kitchenware firm and a production company are among several major British businesses that have entered administration recently.
Companies across the nation, spanning construction to hospitality, have cited spiralling operating expenses as they seek help.
Many firms have brought in administrators in attempts to rescue all or portions of their businesses. This often results in shop and site closures or restructuring programmes, occasionally leading to redundancies, though it doesn’t necessarily signal complete closure. Here are the key administration developments you should be aware of from the past week or so.
Belfield Group
This company, which owns Westbridge Furniture Limited and Belfield Leisure Limited, has recently brought in administrators. The business failed to secure sufficient funding to remain viable, and Chris Pole and Will Wright from Interpath Advisory were appointed to rescue it.
Both Westbridge and Belfield Leisure were formed in February 2025. Westbridge, based in Holywell, Flintshire, has approximately 300 employees and manufactures sofas for leading retailers including Marks & Spencer, John Lewis and Next, according to the Express.
The business has faced challenges in recent years. It suffered poor trading results in 2025, triggering serious cashflow problems.
Meanwhile, Belfield Leisure, located in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, has roughly 200 workers. The business focuses on soft furnishings for the British leisure industry.
Denby
The historic pottery firm, founded in 1809, brought in administrators on March 31. The business, which continues operating from its original Derbyshire site where it was established more than two centuries ago, had been examining its options but had apparently failed to secure investors whose aims matched its vision and values.
Denby will reportedly keep trading throughout the administration period. The firm has approximately 600 staff across the UK.
Autostructures UK
Administrators are battling to rescue Autostructures UK, which operates mainly from Telford in Shropshire. The producer of parts for the automotive and highway sectors was key in helping JCB to create the world’s fastest tractor.
A JCB supplier for three decades, Autostructures UK supplied over 22,000 chassis over 10 years.
The firm, which also proclaimed itself as having a “reputation for excellence”, went into administration on March 27, according to The Gazette.
Stonecrest Marble Limited
This DIY tile merchant was assigned an administrator at the end of March. They have been identified as Constantinos Pedhiou and Amie Helen Johnson, both from BTG Begbies Traynor.
The outlet claims it offers “thousands of choices” of tiles, available in ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone. It states that it stocks the “best quality tiles, many that are exclusive only to Stonecrest.”
The company operates a warehouse in Colchester where it houses its inventory. It claims to offer next-day delivery to meet customers’ requirements.
Ilesbus
A prominent luxury coachbuilding firm, which launched eight years ago, has also entered administration. Ilesbus ranks among Turkey’s largest minibus bodybuilders.
No details have emerged regarding potential job losses or redundancies following the administration decision. Nevertheless, a preferred buyer has been identified for Ilesbus UK.
The administrators say they’re working towards finalising a deal over the next week. If negotiations are successful, the arrangement would enable the buyer to resume operations and possibly complete existing orders.
