Oxford News
High street retailer Game falls into administration
Game Retail Limited, the video games retailer that once had more than 300 stores nationwide, fell into administration earlier this year.
A report from joint administrators James Saunders and Lauren Wentworth of KR8 Advisory revealed that, of the £15.8 million total debt, £3.5 million is owed to a secured creditor and around £12 million is owed to unsecured creditors.
Administrators have been appointed for a second time, with the company’s 2011 administration, The Herald exclusively revealed.
The administrators said: “The Game brand was originally established in 1990 and developed into the UK’s leading high street retailer of video games and consoles.
“The company started trading in 2012 following the acquisition of the UK trade and assets of the former The Game Group Plc out of administration.
“At the point of acquisition, the business operated over 300 retail stores together with two e-commerce platforms under the Game and Gamestation brand names.
“Following the completion of the acquisition, the company consolidated its operations under the single Game brand and undertook a financial and operational review, which resulted in the closure of certain loss-making stores but included plans to open new stores.”
Despite a period of renewed profitability, the company was unable to adapt to long-term changes in consumer behaviour and the broader retail landscape.
Administrators pointed to the industry’s shift from physical games to digital downloads, ongoing Brexit uncertainty, and mounting competition as key challenges.
Financial results highlight this decline.
What happens when a company goes into administration?
In the year ending July 2016, Game reported revenue of £584 million -a 10% drop on the previous year – while profit before tax fell 71% to £6.8 million.
By 2017, the company was operating at a loss before tax of £7.1 million on turnover of £493 million.
The financial outlook continued to darken.
By 2019, Game had posted a loss of £43 million on turnover of £423 million.
In a bid to stabilise the business, shareholder Frasers Group later agreed to acquire the company’s intellectual property for a cash sum “to support the ongoing business and make payment of outstanding rent due on the head office”.
However, the move was not enough to turn things around.
The administrators said: “Despite these efforts, the company’s financial position continued to deteriorate during the final quarter of 2025, which historically had been one of the busiest trading months for the business.
“There have been no major console releases since 2020, and large manufacturers have cited global chip shortages as a reason for further delays.”
UK high street shops that no longer exist
The business model, once reliant on physical game and console releases, was unable to pivot effectively to the digital-first landscape now favoured by manufacturers and consumers alike.
Game Retail Limited was ultimately placed into administration.
The administrators said after reviewing the company’s financial and operational position, “the business was no longer viable.”
The company’s secured creditor also withdrew financial support, sealing its fate.
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Administrators now estimate that there may be “sufficient realisations available to enable a distribution to be made to the secured creditor.”
However, they said: “It is currently anticipated that there will be insufficient funds available to enable a distribution to be made to unsecured creditors, other than by way of the prescribed part.”
Some concessions remain operational as part of Frasers Group’s efforts to preserve elements of the Game brand.
Which high street retailer do you miss the most? Tell us in the comments below.
Amid a surge in Japanese knotweed spreading rapidly across the UK, a property expert has warned that tackling the plant yourself could land you a £5k fine or imprisonment.
Jack Malnick, Managing Director of Sell House Fast, said: “Japanese knotweed is one of the UK’s most problematic weeds that can spread up to seven meters long, take up to three years to treat and can drastically reduce a property’s market value.
“Even if treated, this highly invasive plant can still deter potential buyers. It may be tempting to cut costs and remove knotweed yourself, but this could have disastrous consequences for your property value as well as impact your finances and your legal situation.”
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Mr Malnick added that homeowners should avoid DIY removal and prepare to pay up to £5k.
“It is advised not to attempt a DIY removal, due to the environmental restrictions for disposal,” he said.
“Removal costs depend on the size of the infestation, treatment method, and site access.
“The average cost of knotweed removal is between £1.5k and £2k, but a full evacuation can cost up to £20k.
“The UK average house price is currently around £270,080.
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“Estimates from Environet suggest Japanese knotweed can reduce property values by at least 5 per cent, meaning that homeowners could, at best, lose around £13,504 in value alone.
“However, with potential treatment costs of up to £10k or more for severe cases, early treatment is usually far cheaper than leaving the infestation unmanaged.
Wrong disposal could land you a £5K fine or imprisonment, as Mr Malnick added: “Improper disposal of invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed is not merely reckless; it is a criminal offence.
“The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes it an offence to plant or cause Japanese knotweed to grow in the wild.
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“Offenders may face fines of up to £5k and/or six months’ imprisonment, or on indictment, up to two years’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine.
“Government guidance says that the plant must be transported only to specially licensed landfill or incineration facilities authorised to handle hazardous invasive waste.
“Failure to do so risks not only environmental pollution but prosecution under UK law.
“If Japanese knotweed from a neighbouring property spreads onto your land, you are not liable. In fact, you may be entitled to claim damages.”
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According to a key Court of Appeal ruling, it was confirmed that landowners can be held responsible for allowing Japanese knotweed to spread.
You can also pursue compensation for loss of value and the cost of removal, and claims may still succeed even where knotweed has been present for many years.
“Start by raising the issue with your neighbour, explaining their liability and ensuring they carry out professional removal,” added Mr Malnick.
“If your neighbour is uncooperative, you can contact the council’s Japanese knotweed team or environmental services to escalate the issue.”
As of April 2028, the current mix of county, city and district councils in the county will be no more as they are replaced by three unitary authorities.
The proposals were announced by the Labour government last week and will see Oxford City Council expand to create a Greater Oxford Council, taking parishes from Cherwell, South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse.
A North Oxfordshire Council will also be created with the remainder of Cherwell, along with West Oxfordshire with Ridgeway Council taking up South Oxfordshire, the rest of Vale of White Horse and West Berkshire.
Despite the massive changes to local government though, two major infrastructure projects in the county are expected to proceed as planned.
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The Bicester asylum accommodation centre is unlikely to be impacted after plans were announced by the Home Office to house about 1,200 single adult men.
The project has faced strong local opposition over concerns about safety, service capacity, and community impact.
The new council will take over the site, its conditions, and the responsibility for managing its impact.
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The council will also be in charge of negotiating with the government over any expansion or extension.
Meanwhile, the success of the Universal UK resort at Kempston Hardwick, near Bedford, will depend heavily on regional transport and tourism strategies.
The new councils will decide whether to pursue spin-off investment, such as hotels, attractions, and road upgrades along the Oxford-Bedford corridor, or to focus on protecting rural character.
According to Thames Valley Police, in recent months Bampton has faced issues with unruly behaviour.
Following investigations involving CCTV and reports from residents, those involved have been issued with acceptable behaviour contracts for 12 months.
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The contracts, which are signed by both the children involved and their parents, outline a set of rules to follow in public places and serve as a warning about the potential consequences of future misbehaviour.
The contracts are not criminalising but are designed to help individuals avoid peer pressure and reflect on their actions.
The forces says they offer a chance for improvement, especially for those on the brink of criminal activity.
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