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Oxford University linked UK de-aging firm in £2.7m collapse

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Liquidators for OxStem Limited, which was based on Park End Street in Oxford, has asked for those who claim to be owed money by the firm to prove their debts by June 19.

In particular this call is aimed at ‘unsecured creditors’, meaning an individual or business which has loaned money without taking collateral to secure the debt.

READ MORE: Award-winning UK housebuilder collapses with £1.4m owed and jobs lost

In the latest document on Companies House (dated to May 2025) these are estimated at totalling £15,448, but a further claim worth over £3m from Oxford University is reportedly subject to arbitration proceedings.

This follows the collapse of the company which once raised £16.9m in order to fight age-related conditions such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s.

First founded in 2014, the biotech firm announced the almost £17m investment in 2016, with it representing a record amount for a UK academic spinout – a company designed to commercialise research – at the time.

OxStem was based at Park End Street (Image: Google Maps)

According to Fierce Biotech – which reported on the investment – this followed other firms which were looking to ‘cure old age’, with the money going towards developing small-molecule drugs that can activate repair mechanisms that already exist within the body.

Among those cited as founders of the firm were several Oxford University scientists including Professor Steve Davies and Professor Angela Russell.

Both individuals are associated with the Department of Chemistry.

Professor Davies said in 2016: “We are tackling many of the worst conditions associated with ageing: dementia, heart failure, cancer and macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of blindness in the developed world.”

Oxford University (Image: Other)

In addition a number of subsidiary companies were founded including OxStem Ocular and OxStem Neuro, which have since either been dissolved or are also in liquidation.

In 2019, things seemingly remained positive for the firm with reports indicating that they were looking for funding so their ‘regenerative medicine strategy’ could advance to clinical trials.

However, following that, financial difficulties appeared and in 2022 liquidators from Quantuma Advisory Limited were appointed.

In its financial accounts to June 2021, OxStem revealed creditors falling due within one year of £2.7 million, although it also reported cash at the bank and in hand of £2.4 million.

READ MORE: Leading UK charity collapses with £430K owed and jobs lost

At that time the average number of employees on the books was nine, with all staff having since been dismissed.

Though the company had already collapsed, the liquidation proved more complex in part because of the University of Oxford’s creditor claim and due to complexities around the selling of assets.

As such, the liquidation process is still ongoing.





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Rosa’s Thai is giving away 4000 free Pad Thais to students

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Celebrating both GCSE and A-Level Results Days, the chain will offer the popular dish to students who buy one of its bubble teas.

The free offer is available at all 42 Rosa’s Thai restaurants across England and Wales.

To avail of the free noodles, students need to register on Rosa’s Thai website for a unique code, which they should present at the restaurant together with a copy of their results.

Rosa’s Thai has a new range of bubble tea flavours, including Ube-Taro, Matcha-Coconut, Mango Sticky Rice, and Milo Chocolate Milk, as well as favourites like Home-brewed Thai Tea with Tapioca, and Lychee Mango with mango boba.

Students can sign up for their free Pad Thai at rosasthai.com/result-day-free-pad-thai and find their nearest restaurant at rosasthai.com/locations.





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Historic coin company enters administration after 20 years

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The London Mint Office, which distributes commemorative coins and medals, appointed administrators on July 31 after 20 years in business.

The company’s website now displays a message confirming the appointment of Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP as joint administrators.

A spokesman for Alvarez and Marsal said: “On July 31 2026, Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP were appointed as Joint Administrators of The London Mint Office Limited in administration (the “Company”).

“Regrettably, the Company’s liquidity challenges have led to a number of immediate redundancies. We are supporting the affected employees through the redundancy process.


What Happens When a Company Goes Into Administration?


“The affairs, business and property of the Company are being managed by the Joint Administrators who act as agents of the Company and without personal liability.”

The announcement confirms that it is no longer possible to purchase coins or medals through the company’s website.

The London Mint Office operates a distribution centre in Tonypandy, Rhondda Cynon Taf, where it employs a significant number of people.

Administration is a formal insolvency process triggered when a business cannot meet its financial obligations.

An insolvency practitioner is appointed to manage the company’s affairs and may attempt to restructure the business or sell off assets to repay creditors.


What happens when a company goes into Liquidation?


Founded in 2006, The London Mint Office describes itself as “one of the UK’s most trusted suppliers of historic, commemorative, and collector coins.”

It is part of Samlerhuset AS, a Norwegian company based near Oslo and one of Europe’s largest distributors of commemorative coins and medals.

Samlerhuset’s website states that it offers “provide a wide range of coins from ancient to modern, originating from virtually every country in the world.”

The London Mint Office has advised anyone with an interest in the company’s assets to contact the administrators at INS_THLMOL@alvarezandmarsal.com.





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Warning of new rules for Aldi and Lidl after watchdog review

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The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally decided that both discounters should be added to the Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010, which currently applies to Asda, Co-op, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose.

This order is designed to prevent large grocery retailers from using land agreements to block competitors from opening nearby stores, often through restrictive covenants or exclusivity terms.

Juliette Enser, executive director of competition enforcement and markets at the CMA, said: “We want everyone to have the best choice of supermarket and range of prices when buying their groceries.

“To ensure this happens, we put rules in place to prevent big supermarket chains blocking rival stores from opening nearby – and now we propose applying those rules to Aldi and Lidl too.

“This is about allowing shoppers to choose where they spend their money and levelling the playing field for all major supermarkets.

“Today’s proposals are provisional and we welcome views before deciding the best way forward.”

The CMA’s review found that Aldi, Lidl GB, and Lidl NI now meet the criteria of ‘Large Grocery Retailers’ (LGRs) due to their store footprint, nationwide presence, procurement model, and the breadth of their grocery range.

Aldi and Lidl were originally excluded from the 2010 order as ‘limited assortment discounters’, offering a smaller selection of products compared to traditional supermarkets.

However, the CMA’s provisional findings indicate that this is no longer the case.

All three now operate large grocery stores, each with more than 1,000 square metres of shop floor space, and offer a full range of products, though with less category choice than some competitors.

They also purchase goods directly from suppliers through integrated wholesaling.

With the UK grocery market estimated to be worth £215 billion, Aldi and Lidl are now ranked among the top five retailers by market share.

The CMA is seeking feedback from stakeholders before reaching a final decision.

Aldi and Lidl could join the other supermarket chains later this year.

The CMA is inviting views until 5pm on Monday, September 7, 2026, and will issue its final decision in the autumn after reviewing responses.

If the discounters are included under the order, they will be prevented from using land agreements to limit competition from other supermarket chains.

The CMA aims to ensure competition across the grocery sector to give shoppers more choice and competitive pricing by removing obstacles to new store openings.





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