Mark Watkins Haulage Limited, a freight haulage company based in Cornwall, has entered creditors' voluntary liquidation, marking another blow to the UK haulage industry this summer. The company appointed liquidators on July 13, 2026, with the announcement published in the London Gazette on July 14.
Business Details and Liquidation Process
The company, located at Newham Industrial Estate in Truro, Cornwall, opted for creditors' voluntary liquidation, a director-led procedure that does not require a court order. A winding-up order released on July 14 stated that the company “cannot, by reason of its liabilities, continue its business” and is being “wound up voluntarily.”
According to Companies House, Mark Watkins Haulage was incorporated in 2015, marking 11 years of operation this year. The firm specialised in freight and haulage services for the Cornwall region, particularly haulage from local quarries and removal of materials from building sites.
Impact on Staff Unclear
At this early stage, it is unclear what the impact on staff and possible job cuts will be. Express.co.uk has contacted Mark Watkins Haulage Limited for comment but has not yet received a response.
Broader Industry Struggles
Mark Watkins Haulage is the latest in a series of UK haulage firms to fall into difficulty in 2026, with several forced to close doors this summer. The Road Haulage Association (RHA) earlier this year warned that insolvency numbers were expected to rise, citing increased running costs such as higher fuel bills.
RHA External Affairs Director David Boot previously explained: “Higher interest rates, increased regulatory burdens, and ever-rising running costs continue to make trading more expensive, sending many long-established firms to the wall. Sadly, insolvency levels may rise as the impacts of the Middle East conflict continue in the months ahead.”
Industry Statistics
The RHA stressed that nearly 400 hauliers went out of business in 2025, with 470 falling in 2024 and over 500 in 2023. The cause of Mark Watkins Haulage's difficulties has not been determined, but the broader trend points to ongoing economic pressures on the sector.
