Business & Technology
See inside Oxford Debenhams after £125m lab space scheme
Oxford City Council fully approved plans in March for 100,000 sq ft of lab space for life sciences, innovation and technology.
After the department store chain went into administration, the three-storey branch on the corner of George Street and Magdalen Street closed early in 2021 and did not reopen after the third Covid lockdown. It has remained boarded up ever since.
READ MORE: Derelict Debenhams is being transformed into lab space
Now the building is set for major refurbishment by The Crown Estate, with work due to start to transform the building in the first half of 2027, with a targeted completion in 2029.
Last year, contractors BibbEgan Group started to strip out the former retail unit, in preparation to hand it over to The Crown Estate.
The building at 1-12 Magdalen Street is being developed as part of the estate’s partnership with leading science and innovation developer, Pioneer Group, and Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE).
Alongside a range of labs, the building will also feature dedicated conference and events space, including a ‘showcase lab’ in the heart of the development for OSE companies to make science and innovation more visible and accessible to younger audiences.
Kristy Lansdown, development director at The Crown Estate (Image: The Crown Estate)
Kristy Lansdown, managing director for development at The Crown Estate, said: “1-12 Magdalen Street will deliver world-class science facilities in the heart of the city – a place with not only a rich cultural history, but one that is entrenched in the history of science and progress.
“Alongside our outstanding partners at Pioneer Group and OSE, we are committed to creating a best-in-class lab space for innovative start-ups and scale-ups that will strengthen Oxford’s appeal to the wider sector and contribute meaningfully to economic growth.”
The revamp will help to revitalise the area at the George Street end of Cornmarket.
The Store boutique hotel has replaced the former Boswells department store, and clothing brand Mountain Warehouse is expected to move into William Baker House, the former home of Waterstones, in May.
Harry Pickering, portfolio director and head of UK Real Estate for Pioneer Group, said earlier: “Securing planning permission for 1–12 Magdalen Street is a significant milestone in transforming a prominent Oxford city centre site into a new home for science and innovation.
The former Debenhams in Oxford (Image: Perkins & Will)
“Together with The Crown Estate and Oxford Science Enterprises, we are creating high-quality laboratory space that will support the next generation of breakthrough companies and strengthen Oxford’s position as one of the world’s leading innovation ecosystems.”
Pete Wilder, head of property and operations at Oxford Science Enterprises, said: “Oxford is one of the world’s leading innovation ecosystems, and with that success comes growing demand for high-quality laboratory space in central, well-connected locations.”
The development of 1-12 Magdalen Street represents an initial investment of £125m from The Crown Estate and is part of the organisation’s commitment to invest £1.5 billion into the science, innovation and technology sectors over the next 15 years.
Business & Technology
UK travel company enters liquidation – all holidays cancelled
Ski Yodl Ltd, founded in March 2018, offered ski holiday packages to destinations including the French Alps.
The company’s LinkedIn profile described it as “a collective of ski industry professionals driven to create a customer-centric booking experience with skiing at its core”.
All holiday packages cancelled as Ski Yodl enters liquidation
After eight years, Ski Yodl, based in Norwich, is now set to close, having voluntarily entered liquidation.
A voluntary winding-up order was agreed on July 22, according to The Gazette, with Richard Cacho from RCM Advisory Limited appointed liquidator.
As a result, all package holidays booked through Ski Yodl have been cancelled.
ABTA, one of the UK’s largest travel trade associations, said: “We do not believe that there were any current customer bookings for package holidays at the time of liquidation.
“However, any customers who believe they may be affected should contact ABTA by emailing claimsrequest@abta.co.uk with details of their booking.”
The company also arranged accommodation-only bookings, which were not covered by ABTA protection.
ABTA advised: “Customers that paid by credit or debit card and had accommodation-only bookings will need to contact their card issuer for assistance with obtaining a refund.
“Any customers that paid by other means such as bank transfer will need to register their claim with the liquidator, RCM Advisory Limited, on 01603 331960 or info@rcmadvisory.co.uk.”
Other UK travel companies that have closed in 2026
Several UK travel companies have also ceased trading or entered administration in 2026:
Meanwhile, four UK airlines have fallen into administration or liquidation this year:
- Ascend Airways (liquidation)
- EcoJet Airlines (liquidation)
- Zenith Aviation Limited (administration)
- European Cargo (administration)
Have you booked a holiday with Ski Yodl? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.
Business & Technology
March is busiest month for UK startup address sign-ups
SOFIAH NICHOLE SALIVIO
News Editor
Hoxton Mix has published an analysis of more than 29,000 virtual office and registered address sign-ups, showing that UK industries tend to establish new business presences at different times of year. The data identifies March as the busiest month overall.
The London-based provider examined 29,070 subscriptions recorded between 2017 and May 2026 and grouped businesses across 21 industry sectors by their primary UK Standard Industrial Classification code. The figures suggest there is no single national startup season, with sector patterns differing sharply across the economy.
March produced 2,951 sign-ups and was the peak month for six sectors: Information & Communication, with 892 sign-ups; Professional, Scientific & Technical Activities, with 833; Wholesale & Retail Trade, with 719; Real Estate, with 275; Healthcare, with 125; and Finance, with 107.
That concentration suggests the spring surge was driven mainly by service-led and knowledge-focused parts of the economy. Those sectors account for more than half of the startup activity covered in the analysis.
Different rhythms
Outside March, the pattern becomes more fragmented. May was the annual peak for six further sectors, including Manufacturing, with 127 sign-ups; Transport & Storage, with 101; Agriculture, with 13; Mining & Quarrying, with six; Household Activities, with 24; and Other Service Activities, with 176.
Several industries peaked at other points in the year. Administrative & Support Services reached its highest level in January with 429 sign-ups, while Accommodation & Food Services also peaked that month with 107.
Education and Arts & Recreation followed a different timetable, with both reaching their high point in April. The figures showed 130 sign-ups for Education and 144 for Arts & Recreation in that month.
Construction stood apart from the wider trend, reaching its annual high in August with 228 sign-ups. It was one of the few major sectors not to peak during spring.
Sector timing
The findings point to different operating cycles across industries rather than a single moment when founders are most likely to set up. Businesses tied to project pipelines, seasonal demand or professional services appear to choose different points in the calendar when arranging a registered or virtual office address.
The data is based on subscriptions for virtual offices and registered addresses rather than total UK company incorporations, so it reflects behaviour among firms choosing that type of business presence. Even so, the scale of the dataset offers a view of how timing differs between sectors.
The records span nearly a decade, covering subscription activity from 2017 onwards. Using SIC classifications, Hoxton Mix mapped sign-up volumes against each month of the year to identify recurring peaks.
For information and communication businesses, the numbers suggest spring remains the strongest period for setting up an address presence. Professional services and retail businesses showed a similar pattern, reinforcing March as the busiest point of the year for a large share of service-based activity.
By contrast, January appears to hold more appeal for some operational and customer-facing sectors. Administrative and support services, along with hospitality-related businesses, recorded their highest sign-up levels at the start of the calendar year.
Construction’s August peak marks one of the clearest breaks from that pattern. The timing may reflect the sector’s own commercial cycle, which differs from office-based and consumer-facing businesses.
A brief explanation accompanied the release of the figures.
“New founders often ask when the best time is to start a business, but our data suggests that’s the wrong question. The real question is: when is the best time to start your type of business? Technology founders appear to launch in spring, construction businesses build momentum later in the year and hospitality businesses often favour January. These aren’t random patterns – they reflect the different commercial cycles, customer demand and opportunities within each industry. It’s a reminder that successful founders aren’t simply following the calendar. They’re timing their launch to give themselves the strongest possible start,” said Chris Sees, Chief Executive Officer, Hoxton Mix.
Business & Technology
Muscle Food at risk of closing after entering administration
Muscle Food has offered customers “quality” meat, high-protein meals, supplements, and more for 13 years (founded in 2013).
The brand has built its reputation on offering “macro-friendly” meal options, calorie-controlled bundles, and nutritional transparency, aiming to support customers’ health and fitness goals.
Its website explains: “Muscle Food brings together high-protein meats, curated hampers, supplements, snacks and functional drinks to support every goal.
“From lean, macro-friendly cuts to calorie-packed bulking options, our range is built to fuel performance, recovery and everyday healthy living.
“We focus on quality, clear nutrition and products that help you stay consistent, and we are always expanding to support your journey!
“Every order is carefully packed for freshness and delivered straight to you, making it easy to stay stocked with the food that powers your progress.
“With dependable delivery and consistent quality, MuscleFood fits seamlessly into your routine so you can focus on your goals.”
Muscle Food falls into administration
After 13 years, Muscle Food has now confirmed it has fallen into administration.
Stuart Kelly and Claire Harsley from Mackay Goodwin Limited were appointed joint administrators on July 21, according to The Gazette.
Despite its financial trouble, the company’s website remains online, along with a notice stating the joint administrators are now managing the business and its assets.
Muscle Food said: “The affairs, business and property are managed by the Joint Administrators, who act as agents of Muscle Foods Limited (In Administration) and without personal liability.”
Customers “very distressed” as Muscle Food at risk of closing
Muscle Food has built up a loyal customer base over the past 13 years, maintaining a 3.7-star rating on Trustpilot.
One long-time customer said: “Brilliant service, from delivery to the quality of the meats bought. My family and I have been using Muscle Food since their start-up.
“I first started buying for my family, and now my daughters have grown and have children of their own and now use Muscle Food too.
“I was VERY distressed to hear that they had gone into administration.
“Keep going Guys. There are thousands of us who appreciate you.”
Other UK companies that have closed or entered administration/liquidation in 2026
It has been a tough year for the UK high street, with several other retailers entering administration or liquidation and others announcing widespread store closures.
Major high street brands LK Bennett, Claire’s, and Quiz have been forced to close all their remaining stores after falling into administration.
UK fashion retailer Leading Labels is also set to close its remaining 15 stores after falling into liquidation.
Whitbread recently confirmed it will be closing all its UK restaurants in September:
- Brewers Fayre (89 locations) – September 7
- Beefeater (106) – September 10
- Bar + Block – September 3
- Table Table – September 3
- Cookhouse + Pub – September 3
TG Jones and the British Heart Foundation will also both be closing around 150 stores across the UK.
Other retailers have been forced to close stores this year, including:
Several UK travel companies have also ceased trading or entered administration in 2026:
Meanwhile, four UK airlines have fallen into administration or liquidation:
UK delivery company Yodel is set to be phased out after being acquired by InPost.
It’s also been reported that Morrisons is looking to sell some of its in-store pharmacies as it continues to cut costs.
It hasn’t all been bad news for the UK high street, with several major brands announcing new store openings for 2026, including Aldi, M&S, and Superdrug.
Plus-size clothing brand Evans also returned to the UK high street recently after closing all its stores and concessions in December 2020.
Bodycare has also returned to the UK high street in 2026 after closing all its stores last year, having fallen into administration.
Do you use Muscle Food? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.
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