“It looks like this trend will continue into April, with winding up applications above past Aprils and insolvency appointments tracking that way too,” said Keaton Pronk. March 2026 marked the worst month for liquidations in 11 years, driven by significant increases in the construction and hospitality sectors.
Key statistics:
- March 2026 had the highest number of liquidations since 2015, with 286 company liquidations and 308 insolvencies.
- Construction was the leading industry for liquidations, with 768 firms liquidated in the past year.
- The hospitality sector recorded 399 liquidations, a 49 percent increase compared to the previous year.
- A total of 174 companies in the ‘other services’ sector were liquidated, up from 124 the previous year, marking a 40 percent increase.
- The automotive repair and maintenance sector saw 74 companies liquidated, compared to just 27 a year earlier.
The trend of increasing liquidations has been noted since 2015, with significant impacts on various industries. Keith McLaughlin commented, “If somebody owes money to the Inland Revenue, if they ultimately go through, then that creates a domino impact on the market.” This reflects broader financial distress affecting many businesses.
No timeline has been shared regarding how long this trend might last. Spiders Studios is being liquidated due to the financial insolvency of its parent company Nacon. The interactive entertainment industry is going through a major contraction point, and companies are quick to lay off teams and cut projects to protect profits.
