A dozen companies across Greater Manchester were forced to call in administrators in May 2026, including a taxi company, a plastics manufacturer, and a financial services firm. The majority of businesses affected are based in Manchester city centre, with others in surrounding areas of Oldham, Salford, and Bolton.
Insolvency trends across England and Wales
The number of registered company insolvencies across England and Wales was 1,868 in May, 10% lower than in April and 16% lower than in May 2025. However, more than 100 companies have entered administration in Greater Manchester so far in 2026, with January peaking at 45.
Expert commentary on business challenges
Robert Young, restructuring and insolvency partner at accountancy and business advisory group Azets, said: "The reality is that despite the fall in insolvencies compared to last month and last May, numbers are still high and businesses are still struggling – with many facing an uncertain future. Geopolitical issues, increases in costs, political uncertainty, a lack of affordable finance and creditors chasing overdue debts in an attempt to pay their own bills are just some of the issues that are driving firms into financial distress."
Tom Russell, President of R3, the UK’s restructuring, insolvency and turnaround trade body, added: "A company is insolvent when it doesn’t have enough money to pay its debts or outgoings when they are due. One option open to an insolvent company is to enter administration. This involves the appointment of a licensed insolvency practitioner as administrator to take control of the business. The administrator has the primary objective of saving the company as a going concern, but if that is not possible, they can also sell parts of a business or other assets to fulfil their duty to achieve the best possible outcome for creditors in what are often complicated and difficult circumstances."
Full list of Greater Manchester businesses that appointed administrators in May 2026
- PREH LIMITED – Activities of holding company; registered office: C/o Azets Holdings Limited, 5th Floor, Ship Canal House, 98 King Street, Manchester, M2 4WU; appointed 1 May 2026.
- REE AUTOMOTIVE UK LIMITED – Manufacture of motor vehicles; business and domestic software development; registered office: Power Park, 2 Woodhams Road, Coventry, CV3 4FX (to be changed to C/o FRP Advisory Trading Limited, 2nd Floor, Abbey House, 32 Booth Street, Manchester, M2 4AB); appointed 5 May 2026.
- CABLE STREET LANCASTER DEVELOPMENT LIMITED – Buying and selling of own real estate (previously Priestley Homes (Cable Street) Limited); registered office: C/O KR8 Advisory Limited, The Lexicon, 10-12 Mount Street, Manchester, M2 5NT; appointed 5 May 2026.
- LCM FAMILY LIMITED – Financial intermediation not elsewhere classified; registered office: 60 Spring Gardens, Manchester, M2 2BQ; appointed 28 April 2026, published online 6 May 2026.
- GEMINI U.P.V.C. LIMITED – Manufacture of other plastic products; registered office: Unit K1, Westwood Industrial Estate, Arkwright Street, Oldham, OL9 9LZ (to be changed to C/o FRP Advisory Trading Limited, 2nd Floor, Abbey House, 32 Booth Street, Manchester, M2 4AB); appointed 27 April 2026, published online 1 May 2026.
- MAINLINE PRIVATE HIRE LIMITED – Taxi operation; registered office: Cumberland House, Lissadel Street, Salford, M6 6GG; appointed 6 May 2026.
- KCH (ASHFORD) LIMITED – Development of building projects; registered office: c/o Grant Thornton UK Advisory & Tax LLP, 11th Floor, Landmark St Peter's Square, 1 Oxford St, Manchester, M1 4PB; appointed 6 May 2026.
- HDDL LIMITED – Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (previously Harbinger Darlington Developments Ltd); registered office: c/o KR8 Advisory Limited, The Lexicon, 10-12 Mount Street, Manchester, M2 5NT; appointed 11 May 2026.
- MAZE THEORY GAMES LIMITED – Nature of business not provided; registered office: 9 Charlotte Street, 9th Floor, Neo Building, Manchester, M1 4ET; appointed 8 May 2026.
- PRESTBURY ESTATES (INVESTMENTS) LIMITED – Development of building projects; registered office: C/O KR8 Advisory Limited, The Lexicon, 10-12 Mount Street, Manchester, M2 5NT; appointed 21 May 2026.
- NOVA PERSONNEL LTD – Recruitment specialists; registered office: 1 Pavilion Square Cricketers Way, Westhoughton, Bolton, BL5 3AJ; appointed 21 May 2026.
- LAKES BATHROOMS LIMITED – Wholesale of household goods; registered office: c/o Grant Thornton UK Advisory & Tax LLP, 11th Floor, Landmark St Peter's Square, 1 Oxford St, Manchester, M1 4PB; appointed 18 May 2026.
