The companies that collapsed into administration in the South West in 2020
A total of 109 businesses in the region became insolvent in a year blighted by the pandemic
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The Government’s UK support measures prevented swathes of South West companies falling into administration in 2020 amid the pandemic, new analysis has revealed.
The number of firms collapsing in the region fell to a historic low last year, according to a review of notices in The Gazette - the UK’s public record site - by big four advisory business KPMG.
The firm defined the South West as the region stretching from the Thames Valley to Cornwall, including Reading, Southampton, Eastleigh, Exeter, Salisbury, Bristol, Bath and Taunton.
The report showed that 109 companies across this area went into administration in 2020, compared to 149 in 2019 - a drop of 26.8%.
The industries accounting for the lions’ share of insolvencies were manufacturing (14), construction and building development (12), and retail (7).
Nationally, 1,112 companies went into administration over the course of last year – the lowest annual total since KPMG started tracking the data in 2005, and a fall of 22% on 2019, which saw 1,425 administrations.
The retail sector, in particular, has been hit hard by the pandemic, with dozens of big-name chain stores collapsing into administration last year.
Sarah Collins, restructuring lead for KPMG in Bristol, said: “Comfort can be taken from the fact that fewer businesses than expected have been forced into insolvency during the crisis, as the breadth and depth of support measures available, coupled with a supportive lending community, have given organisations that vital lifeline.
“We also know that there are a number of sectors, including the likes of tech, online retail and financial services, which have seen something of a Covid-bounce.”
But she warned the figures provided a “distorted view of reality”, with companies in sectors such as leisure and hospitality racking up liabilities while seeing little cash flowing into the business.
“At some point, rent and tax deferrals and loans will need to be repaid. The Job Retention Scheme will unwind. Weaning off these support schemes is going to be a massive challenge for many,” she said.
While the pandemic and resulting lockdown measures are continuing to have ramifications for many businesses, the impact of the UK’s new deal with the European Union has also come into focus in recent weeks.
Ms Collins warned there could be “bumps in the road” for businesses as the UK grapples with the realities of its new trading relationship with the bloc.
“There was certainly a collective sigh of relief when a Brexit deal was signed on Christmas Eve, with the UK avoiding a damaging cliff-edge scenario,” she said.
“Some sectors are seeing an immediate impact on cash and liquidity. There have been early signs of disruption across supply chains, particularly on roads and at ports as customs changes, increased paperwork and delays start to have a knock-on effect on both suppliers and those awaiting deliveries.
“This leaves some companies with the issue of having cash tied up in stock, unable to be despatched to consumers, but with bills still to be paid and no obvious solution on the horizon.”
JLS DESIGNS LIMITED
Manufacture of special purpose machines
Bath
CENTRE FOR DENTISTRY LIMITED
Dental Practice
Bath
SEA VIEW COACHES (POOLE) LIMITED
Passenger Transport
Bath
HARD ACRE BUILDING LIMITED
Development of building projects
Bristol
SPAFIELD DISPLAYS LIMITED
Manufacturer of bespoke displays
Bristol
MAD DOG BREWING CO LTD
Manufacture of beer
Bristol
THE NORVILLE GROUP LIMITED
Manufacture of medical and dental instruments and supplies
Bristol
SECRET SALES LTD
General Retailers
Bristol
DRIVE FORCE (UK) LTD
Freight transport by road
Bristol
STONE SUPPLIES HOLDINGS LIMITED
Quarrying of ornamental and building stone, limestone, gypsum, chalk and slate;
Bristol
THOMAS LONG LIMITED
Construction of commercial buildings
Bristol
TEMPUS ENERGY TECHNOLOGY LTD
professional scientific and technical activities
Bristol
TODS AEROSPACE LIMITED
Engineering design and manufacture of advanced materials technology for aerospace and naval acoustic structures
Bristol
APTA BIOSCIENCES LIMITED
Research and experimental development on biotechnology
Bristol
WELSH BROS FOODS LTD
Production of meat and poultry products
Bristol
DUO BOOTMAKERS LIMITED
Retail
Bristol
KSR ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS LIMITED
Manufacture of electronic components
Bristol
ST. MARY'S SCHOOL SHAFTESBURY TRUST
General secondary education
Bristol
F. NORVILLE LIMITED
Opticians
Bristol
MCINTOSH DBR LTD
Construction
Bristol
SIMONSTONE (BRISTOL) LIMITED
Sale of new cars and light motor vehicles
Bristol
AUDIOGUM UK LIMITED
Business and domestic software development
Bristol
B.D. (S/W) LTD
Alcoholic drinks wholesaler
Bristol
HEARING SOLUTIONS LTD
Retail sale of Hearing Aids
Bristol
ER TRAVEL SERVICES LIMITED
Car Hire
Bristol
HOP SKIP & JUMP FOUNDATION
Social work activities
Bristol
THE ABR COMPANY LIMITED
Events Management
Bristol
RCE GRACE LIMITED
Specialists medical practice activities
Bristol
GORDANO WINES LIMITED
Wholesale of wine, beer, spirits and other alcoholic beverages
Bristol
CONNOISSEUR ESTATES LIMITED
Wine importer, wholesaler and agent
Eastleigh
AMTEC LTD
Manufacture of fabricated goods
Eastleigh
CHIQUITO LIMITED
Licensed restaurants
Eastleigh
WESTERN HOUSE LIMITED
Wholesale of glassware
Eastleigh
FOOD & FUEL LIMITED
Public houses and bars
Eastleigh
TEONI'S LIMITED
Manufacturing - Food and Beverage
Exeter
SUITE HOSPITALITY LTD
Hotels and Accommodation
Exeter
THE HAVEN SPA AND THERAPY LIMITED
Physical well-being activites
Exeter
STORAGE SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Business support
Exeter
A SKIPS & WASTE LTD
Haulage and Storage
Exeter
LONDON SWIMMING POOL CO CONTRACTING LIMITED
Construction of Swimming Pools
Fareham
STON EASTON LIMITED
Operation of Hotel
Fareham
IMPACT CATERING SERVICES LIMITED
Catering and cleaning
Fareham
TANSAR HOLDINGS LIMITED
Insurance intermediary
Fareham
GREENFIELD CONTRACTING LIMITED
Building and fitout work for retail and commercial units
Fareham
CREATEABILITY LIMITED
Design and construction company
Fareham
FERRIER PEARCE CREATIVE GROUP LIMITED
creative marketing
Fareham
MERIDIAN VALE LIMITED
Licensed Restaurants
Ivybridge
JOY GROUP LTD
Retail and Wholesale seller of clothing
Reading
INSPIRATION ONE LIMITED
Property Development
Reading
IMPERIUM CONTRACTS LIMITED
Development of buildings projects
Reading
SAPPHIRE CONTROLS LIMITED
Design and manufacture of electrical distribution equipment
Reading
THE OXFORD MARKET RESEARCH AGENCY LIMITED
Market research agency
Reading
THREE CROSS MOTOR CYCLES LIMITED
Sale of new cars and light motor vehicles
Reading
MOUNTUNE LIMITED
Retailer of performance parts and race engines
Reading
CORAX CYBER SECURITY LTD
Cyber Security
Reading
THE SALES PARTNERSHIP DISTRIBUTORS LIMITED
Consultancy, sales and distribution to the toys, game and nursery trade
Reading
CARDIFF CONTAINER LINK LIMITED
Haulage
Reading
ADWAIZ LIMITED
Advertising
Reading
TRUEMANS COACHES (FLEET) LIMITED
passenger land transport
Reading
SEVENTY THREE RETAIL LTD
Retail
Reading
NEPTUNE RUM LTD
Rum Distribution
Reading
NATIONWIDE ACCIDENT REPAIR SERVICES LIMITED
Automotive
Reading
TOUCAN TRAVEL LIMITED
Travel Agency
Reading
THE STAFF CANTEEN LTD
Hospitality media company
Reading
BEALES GOURMET LIMITED
Wedding Catering Activities
Ringwood
EXTRASERVICE LIMITED
Medical nursing home
Ringwood
HEAT GROUP (UK) LIMITED
Wholesale of hardware, plumbing and heating equipment and supplies
Salisbury
THE EVENT MEDICINE COMPANY LTD
Provision of medical services
Salisbury
PROCAM TELEVISION HOLDINGS LIMITED
Holding Entity
Salisbury
HERON STEEL LIMITED
Manufacture of basic iron and steel and of ferro-alloys
Salisbury
BEDFORD ROOFING SERVICES LIMITED
Roofing Services
Salisbury
BALTIC PROJECTS UK LTD
Construction
Salisbury
PIKE PARTNERSHIP LIMITED
Development of building projects
Salisbury
MYLIFE DIGITAL LIMITED
Software solutions
Salisbury
CERAVISION LIGHTING LIMITED
Manufacture of electric lighting equipment
Salisbury
RIALTO JOINERY LTD
Manufacture of other builders' carpentry and joinery
Salisbury
CAPITAL COOLING REFRIGERATION LIMITED
Manufacture of non-domestic cooling and ventilation equipment
Southampton
SPLASH NEWS AND PICTURE AGENCY LIMITED
Portrait photographic activities; Film processing
Southampton
REGAL HOLIDAY HOMES LIMITED
Manufacture of holiday homes
Southampton
BLUPOINT LTD
Information Service
Southampton
G T MARKETING SERVICES LIMITED
Public relations and communications
Southampton
DOUGLAS STAFFORD LIMITED
Mystery Shopping
Southampton
ON-SITE RECRUITMENT SOLUTIONS LTD
Recruitment Services
Southampton
THE ON-SITE GROUP LIMITED
Holding Company
Southampton
BOARDRIDERS UK LIMITED
Retail sale of textiles, footwear and new goods
Southampton
SETSQUARE STAGING LIMITED
service activities
Southampton
WZ LIMITED
Sea and coastal passenger water transport
Southampton
ST MARY'S INDEPENDENT SCHOOL LTD.
School
Southampton
MYHOMEGROUP LIMITED
Real estate agencies
Southampton
HARRIS HOLIDAYS LIMITED
Tour operator
Southampton
ENVIROLEC SMART ENERGY SOLUTIONS LTD
Electrical installation
Southampton
ROMSEY WORLD OF WATER LIMITED
Aquatic Garden Centre
Southampton
GLIDER YACHTS LIMITED
Building of pleasure and sporting boats
Southampton
SEVEN BRANDS LIMITED
Advertising Agency
Southampton
RUN ULTRA LTD
Retail sale of sports goods, fishing gear, camping goods, boats and bicycles
Southampton
PROSPERITY CATHEDRAL VIEW NMPI LTD
Management consultancy
Southampton
SOUTHAMPTON NUFFIELD THEATRE TRUST(THE)
Performing Arts
Southampton
NOMAD GLOBAL STRUCTURES LTD
Construction of film studios
Southampton
TIBER CAPITAL LLP
Asset Management Services
Southampton
PROSPERITY ST JAMES HOUSE DEVELOPMENT LTD
Buying and selling of own real estate
Southampton
PIXIPIXEL LIMITED
Portrait photographic activities
Southampton
IDEAL MODULES LIMITED
manufacturing
Southampton
100 CLERKENWELL ROAD LIMITED
Development of building projects
Southampton
ONE ISLINGTON PLAZA LTD
Development of building projects
Southampton
RES HOMES LTD
Development of Building Projects
Southampton
NETWORK DIRECT LIMITED
activities auxiliary to insurance and pension funding
Southampton
ALPINE ELEMENTS LIMITED
Tour Operator
Southampton
LEE SYMS LIMITED
Solicitors
Southampton
PLYMPACK LIMITED
Processing and packaging of UHT products
Taunton