UK flooring firm shuts after 48 years as it enters administration

Ceco (Flooring) Limited provided flooring and tiling consultancy and solutions for commercial and residential projects across the UK and Ireland.

The Carryduff-based company, established in July 1978, employed nine staff and operated as a subsidiary of Headlam Group, one of the UK’s leading floor covering distributors.

Ceco closes after 48 years as it enters administration

Administrators were appointed to Headlam Group plc and HFD Limited on September 8, 2026.

Efforts were made to find a buyer or investor for Ceco, but no purchaser was found.

As a result, the company has now entered administration and ceased trading.

Ian Leonard and Stuart Irwin of Interpath were appointed joint administrators on September 30.

Mr Leonard said: "Ceco built a strong reputation across Northern Ireland over many years, working with architects, interior designers, universities, and education bodies on a range of prestigious commercial projects.

"It is particularly sad to see a business of this quality reach this point as a consequence of the challenges experienced by the wider Headlam group.

"Our immediate priority is to support the employees affected by this news.

"We will also be engaging with customers and suppliers to fulfil outstanding orders where possible, and will be exploring options for the brand and assets of the business in due course."

Most employees have been made redundant, with a small number retained to assist with the wind-down process.

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 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 in May.

Whitbread closed all its standalone branded restaurants across the UK last month, including:

• Brewers Fayre
• Beefeater
• Bar + Block
• Table Table
• Cookhouse + Pub

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 have been forced to close stores this year, including:

• River Island
• Primark
• Poundland
• Revolution
• BrewDog
• Franco Manca

Several UK travel companies have ceased trading or entered administration in 2026, including:

• Regen Central Ltd
• Gold Crest Holidays
• Asiara UK Ltd
• Simply Florida Travel Ltd
• Trav Expert Ltd
• Strachan Travel Ltd
• Travel Bespoke Ltd
• Global Vision International
• Ski Yodl Ltd
• TS Travels Group
• Yourtravelshop.com
• TS Travel Realisations Ltd
• Firefly Holidays
• Fraser Travel Ltd
• Golf Villa Rentals Ltd
• Barnes Worldwide Travel Ltd

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 was phased out completely in July 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 and Bodycare have returned to the UK high street this year after previously closing all their stores.

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