The final countdown – our best-read stories of the year: 10-1

As the year draws to a close and we all look forward to a week or so of eating and drinking too much, it’s time to take a look back at our best-read stories of the year.

2023 has been a fantastic year for TheBusinessDesk.com, with over two million people reading our stories, a series of a outstanding events – and a host of exclusive stories.

In the last part of our top 50 best-read tales of the year, let’s find out what came in from numbers 10 to 1.

10. Warning that HS2 delays could see Derby plant mothballed

In September, we reported that around 2,000 people in Derby could lose their jobs at the end of the year if a train assembly plant is mothballed.

The warning came amid reports that Britain’s largest train assembly plant at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane in the city could run out of work because of delays to the build of rolling stock for the HS2 project.

The fight to save the plant continues.’

9. Engineering contractor collapses into administration

In September, engineering contractor MJL Midlands collapsed after its parent company ceased trading.

MJL Midlands, formerly E7 Building Services, was based in Wellingborough, but had been dragged into the troubles faced by its owner, Michael J Lonsdale, which operated predominantly in the London area.

Administrators from Begbies Traynor were appointed to Michael J Lonsdale.

8. Leicestershire engineering firm set to call in administrators

An engineering firm that can trace its roots back to 1968 looked set to fall into administration in July.

Automatic Engineers, based in Hinckley, Leicestershire, had posted a notice of appointment to appoint an administrator.

The company makes components and sub-assemblies from a 26,000 sq ft premises in the town. It has historically serviced the aerospace, motor sport and automotive industries.

Glanford Park, home of Scunthorpe United

7. Football club on the verge of new ownership

At the beginning of October, we reported that Scunthorpe United could be on the verge of being sold to a fans’ consortium.

Sources close the club said that an announcement could come as soon as Tuesday October 3 after it emerged that its owner, the divisive Nottingham businessman David Hilton, was ready to walk away.

6. Jobs to go at Travis Perkins as construction downturn hits business

Builders merchant Travis Perkins was set to make redundancies in November after it said that the uncertainty surrounding the economy had gone on for longer than it originally planned for.

The Northants-based giant didn’t disclose to TheBusinessDesk.com how many jobs will be lost, but says it wants to make the business “leaner and simpler”.

The news came after profits fell by almost a third for the six months to June – down 31% to £112m; a performance it blamed on weak domestic and new build markets. Revenues also fell by 2% to £2.47bn.

5. Electrical contractor edges towards administration

A Lincolnshire domestic and industrial electrical installation firm edged closer to administration July after posting a second notice of intention to appoint administrators (NOI).

Active Eletrical Services (AES), which is based in Stamford, posted the second NOI through LCF Law on Friday 14 July.

Billing Aquadrome

4. Holiday parks set to be sold out of administration

Two Northampton holiday parks which have been placed into administration were up for sale in July.

Billing Aquadrome Limited, owned by the RoyaleLife Group, ran the Billing Aquadrome and Cogenhoe Mill resorts in Northamptonshire. As we exclusively revealed on July 6, the firm went into administration – leaving the future of the holiday parks up in the air.

3. 170 jobs secured as haulage firm saved

Scores of jobs were saved at a Derbyshire haulage and distribution firm after it was rescued from falling into administration in September.

Macclesfield-based Kinaxia Logistics bought Nelson Distribution. The deal secured the jobs of all 170 staff employed in the business, and the service to Nelson’s customers was uninterrupted.

2. 200-year-old family business calls in administrators

In July, the glazing, metal roofing, cladding and building conservation specialist Norman & Underwood fell into administration.

The news came after the Leicester-based business, which could trace its roots back 200 years, posted two notices of intention to appoint administrators in June as bosses battled to save the firm after working with Begbies Traynor to try and sell the business.

1. Holiday park set to fall into administration

In July, Billing Aquadrome, the 235-acre leisure park in Northamptonshire, was facing an uncertain future after it cleared a pathway for an administrator to be appointed to the resort.

Calling itself “the perfect destination for comments to remember”, Billing Aquadrome is in the Nene Valley. It includes holiday homes, glamping pods, touring and camping plots. Attractions include a heated swimming pool, entertainment venue and fun fair.

Earlier this year, controversial £30m plans by its owners Royale Resorts to add more 1,000 more caravans to the site were passed by West Northamptonshire Council.