Business & Technology
Premium UK chocolate company collapses into administration
Marasu’s Petit Fours was founded back in 1986 by “master-patissiers” Rolf Kern and Gabi Kohler.
The aim of the business was to supply “London’s top hotels, restaurants and clubs with premium chocolates and petits fours”.
The company grew to become London’s largest producer of premium chocolates, with annual production of over 300 tonnes from its 25,000 sq foot facilities in Park Royal, according to business experts Odoo.
Marasu’s, which was acquired by Prestat Group Ltd in 2006, has provided chocolates to some big-name brands, including:
- Selfridges
- Harrods
- Fortnum & Mason
- Pret a Manger
Marasu’s Petit Fours at risk of closing as it enters administration
After 40 years, Marasu’s Petit Fours is now at risk of closing.
The premium chocolate company entered administration last month, according to Companies House, along with its parent company Prestat Ltd.
Alessandro Sidoli and Jessica Barker of Xeinadin Corporate Recovery Limited have been appointed joint administrators.
Marasu’s collapse follows a tough few years for chocolate manufacturers.
The Grocery Gazette explains: “Global cocoa prices surged to record highs in 2024 after disease and extreme weather hit crops in Ghana and Ivory Coast, which together account for around 60 per cent of global cocoa production.
“For premium chocolate manufacturers, sharply rising ingredient costs, combined with higher energy and operating expenses, have significantly squeezed margins even for established heritage brands.”
What happens when a company goes into administration?
Put simply, when a company enters administration, it means that it is unable to pay expenses, debts, or other liabilities, according to SquareUp.com.
Companies House adds: “When a company goes into administration, they have entered a legal process (under the Insolvency Act 1986) with the aim of achieving one of the statutory objectives of an administration. This may be to rescue a viable business that is insolvent due to cashflow problems.
“An appointment of an administrator (a licensed insolvency practitioner) will be made by directors, a creditor or the court to fulfil the administration process.”
A statutory moratorium is put in place once a company enters administration, giving it “breathing space” to allow for financial restructuring plans to be drawn up free from creditor enforcement actions.
A company can continue to trade while in administration, but daily management and control is handed over to the administrators.
Companies House continues: “Within 8 weeks it is the administrators’ role to formulate administration proposals.
“Creditors are then asked to vote by a decision procedure to approve the administrators’ proposals.
“If the administration involves a sale of all or part of the company’s business, the proceeds (after the costs of the procedure) will be distributed to creditors in a statutory order of priority.”
Administration will end automatically after 12 months unless the administrator asks the court or creditors for an extension.
Through administration, a company can be:
- Rescued and passed back to the directors
- Enter liquidation
- Be dissolved
Other UK companies that have closed or entered administration/liquidation in 2026 (so far)
It has been a rough start to 2026 for the UK high street, with several retailers entering administration and others announcing widespread store closures.
Major high street retailers, including River Island, Primark, and Poundland, have already been forced to close stores in 2026, while Revolution and BrewDog have shut the doors to 21 and 38 pubs, respectively.
Several other retailers have fallen into administration recently, including:
Meanwhile, four UK travel companies have closed in the opening weeks of 2026:
EcoJet Airlines, billed as “the world’s first Electric Airline”, has also entered liquidation after just three years, resulting in the cancellation of all planned flights.
What has a nose, wings and runs off of hydrogen? Ecojet 😎 pic.twitter.com/y8QGiBdFe2
— ecotricity (@ecotricity) July 17, 2023
UK delivery company Yodel is set to be phased out over the coming months after being acquired by InPost.
Tesco also recently revealed plans to cut 380 jobs in stores across the UK, while it’s been reported that Morrisons is looking to sell some of its in-store pharmacies as it continues to cut costs.
It’s not been all bad news for the UK high street, with several major brands announcing new store openings for 2026, including Aldi, M&S, and Superdrug.
Have you tried Marasu’s Petit Fours chocolates before? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.
The popular shopping centre in Oxford’s Queen Street already has an exciting mix of shops on offer, from first-class dining options to familiar high street favourites and world-renowned brands.
Now, the Westgate has welcomed the latest addition to its retail offering, as David Clulow opticians opened on Friday, June 26.
READ MORE: All train lines closed out of Oxford for works from tonight
The eye health specialist store showcases the brand’s modernised retail format, with state-of-the-art testing rooms and improved accessibility.
It’s broad product range also includes designer frames from the likes of Chanel, Prada and Ray-Ban.
The store is the latest edition to David Clulow’s store collection which is hosted in nearly 30 cities and shopping centres across the UK.
The introduction of the new shop is the latest in a long line of recent Westgate comings and goings in recent months.
Shoe chain Russell & Bromley has departed its ground-floor store, leaving the unit empty, after the brand fell into administration.
READ MORE: Abingdon police seek to identify man who ‘frequents’ park
Similarly, Claire’s has also closed at the Westgate after the beauty and accessory brand also collapsed into administration.
Last month, the new Lego store opened on the ground floor of the centre, welcoming queues of shoppers at its grand opening event.
Oliver Bonas also recently moved from its home on the ground floor to a much larger unit on the middle floor, near the Queen Street and Bonn Square entrance.
The scheme, designed to support attendance at Armed Forces Day events, will be in effect across the UK on June 27 and June 28.
It applies to all Stagecoach services except those operated by Megabus, Transport for London and the Bee Network.
To access free travel, serving military should wear uniform or present a valid military ID card, and veterans should present a veteran’s badge or military medal.
Martin Gibbon, managing director of Stagecoach West, said: “Our Armed Forces have given so much to protect our country, and offering free travel over this weekend is just a small gesture of our immense gratitude.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for our service people, past and present, to attend local events and celebrate with their communities.”
Stagecoach’s ongoing support for the military community includes similar free travel schemes on Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday.
The company’s Veterans Network also offers a platform for veterans and service families within the business to connect and shape a more supportive workplace.
Stagecoach was awarded the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award in 2024 in recognition of its commitment to supporting the military community.
Mr Gibbon said: “Through our Veterans Network, we are dedicated to ensuring Stagecoach remains a deeply supportive environment for the military community, both as passengers and as valued colleagues.”
Stagecoach has backed the Armed Forces Covenant since 2015.
Banbury-based Prodrive has joined forces with the British Motorsports Marshals Club (BMMC) in a new three-year partnership to back the more than 3,000 marshals represented by the BMMC.
Easily recognised by their trademark orange overalls, marshals play a critical role in the safe operation of racing events across circuits, rally stages, and hill climbs throughout the UK.
David Richards, chairman of Prodrive, said: “Motorsport simply wouldn’t happen without marshals.
“They are the backbone of our sport, giving their time, commitment and passion to ensure events run safely and successfully.”
The partnership will focus on raising awareness of the marshals’ work using the idea of ‘British Racing Orange’ and aims to strengthen the connection between the sport and its volunteer workforce.
It will also support the BMMC’s efforts to recruit, train, and equip new and existing marshals.
Chris Hobson, chair of the BMMC, said: “Marshals are one of the most visible and vital parts of motorsport.
“Our partnership with Prodrive will help us continue training and equipping marshals, helping them stay safe every time they are trackside.
“By working together, we can inspire more people to discover marshalling and join the BMMC.”
While Prodrive’s factory programmes compete globally across disciplines including endurance racing, rally-raid and beyond, the company remains deeply connected to the UK motorsport ecosystem and the marshal community that supports it.
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