On 13 August 2025, Claire’s UK and Ireland operations entered administration, placing over 2,000 jobs and around 300 stores at risk - specifically affecting 306 stores across those regions. Following the collapse of Claire's US, for the second time in seven years, Claire's France was put into receivership earlier in August and stores in Germany, Austria and Italy are also closing. In the UK the chain is continuing to trade whilst exploring strategic options.

The popular high street brand, known for its accessories, follows its US parent’s recent bankruptcy filing, underscoring a precarious financial position. Insolvency practitioners have been appointed and plan to keep all 306 UK and Ireland stores open for now while they explore strategic options, including a possible sale of the business as a going concern. The administration has halted Claire’s online orders. The collapse reflects deep structural challenges amid rising competition, shifting consumer habits, and debt pressures.

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Quantum, a company founded by private investors with ties to Industry 4.0, has acquired all assets of BCN3D following its bankruptcy filing in May. The acquisition, which includes BCN3D's headquarters and production facility, was formally approved through legal proceedings.

Quantum aims to ensure the long-term viability and sustainable growth of BCN3D. The new company has stated that all operations remain fully functional, and the entire BCN3D team is staying on. This move allows BCN3D to continue developing its 3D printing technology and expand its offerings for the light industrial market, ensuring its product roadmap evolves under a new, agile structure.

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The UK’s third-largest steelworks, Speciality Steels UK (part of Sanjeev Gupta’s Liberty Steel), has been placed under government control after being declared insolvent. Nearly 1,500 jobs in Rotherham and Sheffield face an uncertain future as the High Court ordered its winding up, citing debts of hundreds of millions and just £600,000 in the bank against a £3.7m monthly wage bill. The official receiver will now oversee operations while the government covers wages and keeps the plant running as a buyer is sought.

Gupta’s team had asked the court for more time to pursue a “pre-pack administration” with financial backing from BlackRock and Fidera, aiming to buy back the business and shed much of its debt. Liberty Steel argued it was best placed to run the plant after a decade of investment and operation.

Creditors, however, pushed for liquidation under independent oversight, claiming this would safeguard UK steelmaking better than a Gupta-led rescue. The collapse stems from Liberty’s financial struggles after its main lender Greensill Capital failed, leaving the group exposed and with numerous entities already in insolvency across multiple countries.

Read more at the BBC

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German mobile phone insurance, repair, and logistics provider Einhaus Group has disclosed the devastating impact of a 2023 ransomware attack. Once employing 170 staff and generating €70 million annually, the company is now reduced to just eight workers. 

The "Royal" ransomware group encrypted contracts, billing, and communication systems, halting operations. Hackers even sent warnings via office printers. Einhaus paid a €200,000 Bitcoin ransom, but although investigators later seized the funds, they were never returned. 

The company suffered damages in the mid-seven-figure range forcing job losses, property sales, and insolvency filings for subsidiaries including 24logistics. Once partnered with giants such as Deutsche Telekom and 1&1 across 5,000 stores, Einhaus has effectively collapsed.

Read more on this at Tech Radar

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