NCP falls into administration for second time this year

NCP (National Car Parks) Commercial Services Ltd, founded in London in 1931, manages and operates car parks across the UK.

It offers “a fantastic amount of choice” to customers when it comes to finding somewhere to park their vehicles.

On its website, it says: “We’re passionate about parking services.

“As the UK’s number one car park operator we have helped millions of customers to find solutions that are right for them.”

NCP falls into administration after 95 years of business

The car park operator says it has more than 200,000 car park spaces across more than 800 sites across the UK.

Edward Williams, Timothy Andrew Higgins and David Robert Baxendale of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) were appointed as joint administrators on September 30, 2026, according to The Gazette.

It comes just months after the company, which is owned by Japanese firm Park24, appointed administrators in March 2026, putting 682 jobs at risk, after struggling to fill spaces since Covid-19 and grappling with losses.

NCP’s financial performance was hit by a post-Covid dip in demand for parking, the firm said at the time.

It blamed this partly on a change to commuting and consumer driving patterns which impacted occupancy across its car parks.

NCP also entered administration in March 2026 (Image: Getty)

The company also said it struggled with costs linked to long-term and inflexible leases on loss-making sites.

Newsquest has approached NCP Commercial Services Ltd for comment.

What happens when a company goes into administration?

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 are 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

It has been a tough year for the UK high street, with several retailers entering administration or liquidation and others announcing widespread store closures.

Major high street brands LK Bennett, Claire's, Quiz and Leading Labels have been forced to close all their remaining stores after falling into administration.

TG Jones and the British Heart Foundation will also be closing around 150 stores each across the UK.

Wynsors World of Shoes is shutting 17 stores across the UK, with closing down sales already underway at several affected branches.

Popular UK-based online platform Laced, used for buying and selling rare trainers, is also set to close down after 11 years, having fallen into administration.

Other retailers that have been forced to close stores this year include the likes of River Island, Primark, Brewdog, and more.

In the food sector, Whitbread notably closed all its branded restaurants across the UK last month, including all of its Brewers Fayre and Beefeater sites.

Several UK travel companies have ceased trading or entered administration in 2026, including the likes of Regen Central Ltd, Gold Crest Holidays, Asiara UK Ltd and more.

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Wayfairer Travel Limited has also suspended all services "until further notice" as it looks to appoint an administrator.

Meanwhile, four UK airlines have fallen into administration or liquidation:

• Ascend Airways (liquidation)
• EcoJet Airlines (liquidation)
• Zenith Aviation Limited (administration)
• European Cargo (administration)

UK delivery company Yodel is being phased out after being acquired by InPost.

Meanwhile, iconic fashion brand Nasty Gal has shut down its website after being sold by Debenhams in a deal worth around £12 million (US$16 million).

It hasn't all been bad news for the UK high street, with several major brands announcing new store openings for 2026, including Joules, Aldi, M&S, and Superdrug.

Meanwhile, brands including Evans, Karen Millen and Bodycare have returned to the UK high street this year after previously closing all their stores.

Have you used NCP parking spaces before? Let us know in the comments below.