Tough economic conditions saw harsh cuts across a number of industry sectors including sports clubs, charities, high street retailers and restaurants
Thousands of jobs were lost or put at risk in 2025 across Greater Manchester as businesses collapsed or closed branches. Rising costs and major restructuring to remain competitive in the market saw harsh cuts across a number of industry sectors including sports clubs, charities, high street retailers and restaurants.
Here are some of the biggest losses felt across the region this year.
Unimetals
Metals recycling firm Unimetals, which has a site in Manchester, filed for compulsory liquidation the M.E.N reported in November, putting around 650 jobs at risk across its nationwide operations.
The company, which operates 27 sites across the UK, began the process of winding down after efforts to find a buyer failed. Advisers from Alvarez & Marsal managed discussions with potential buyers, but were unable to secure a sale. The firm has a site in Rondin Road, Ardwick.
Salford Red Devils
Salford Red Devils were wound up at a specialist companies court in December. The 152-year-old club’s existence came to an end after a one-minute hearing relating to an unpaid tax bill due to His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.
Salford crashed out of Super League last season after a torrid campaign in which they repeatedly made late wage payments and failed to fulfil a fixture after a mass player exodus.
They were relegated to the second-tier Championship, and had been set to kick off the 2026 season with a home match against local rivals Oldham on January 16.
TGI Fridays
TGI Fridays with 49 restaurants and bars, including locations in Sale, Prestwich and Manchester’s Royal Exchange, is facing uncertainty as its parent company has lodged a notice to appoint administrators for the second time in a matter of weeks. The development has left both staff and patrons on edge just days before Christmas, although management maintains that business will continue as usual for the festive period.
Liberty Bar and Restaurant Group, the company responsible for TGI Fridays’ UK operations, submitted a notice of intention to appoint administrators on 19 December. This follows closely after a similar filing made just two weeks prior on 5 December.
Earlier this year, the US-themed restaurant and cocktail bar chain, which was created in 1965, said it had undergone a significant transformation since being bought out of administration in October 2024.
Pizza Hut
In October, restaurant chain Pizza Hut revealed the locations of 68 of its restaurants which will close, including seven sites across Greater Manchester. The closures were announced after the company behind Pizza Hut’s UK venues fell into administration
As part of the change, the chain will also be closing eleven of its delivery sites across the country, leaving a total of 1,210 employees at risk of redundancy. Across Greater Manchester sites in Ashton, Bolton, Oldham, Rochdale, Urmston and Wigan are expected to close, as well as the chain’s Manchester Fort restaurant.
Manchester Pride
In October, the team behind Manchester Pride began the process of entering into voluntary liquidation, with the future of the event now in the balance.
The charitable organisation’s Board of Trustees issued a statement admitting that they were ‘currently in the process of determining the best way forward with our legal and financial advisers’. They said the organisation was ‘no longer financially viable’ following a series of challenges, including declining ticket sales and rising costs.
The announcement came a week after many artists at this year’s event, during the August Bank Holiday weekend, had claimed they were yet to be paid for their appearances. They said they were met with a lack of communication and clarity when trying to chase up on their queries.
The Hidden Treasure Trust
A charity which tried to tackle poverty and support those in need has gone bust – with staff told on Christmas Eve they have lost their jobs. The Hidden Treasure Trust is a ‘Christian-led’ charity predominantly operating in the Partington area of Trafford. It has two community hubs – The Hideaway based at Partington Shopping Centre and the Hope Centre on Wood Lane, Partington.
The Hideaway offered an educational family play centre and featured a support team. Residents in need could also access practical support at the Hope Centre, including getting access to food and clothing.
The organisation worked to ‘reverse poverty for families and vulnerable people using education, relationships and practical support to bring life-transforming help, hope and joy’, according to its website.
Ruth Lancey is CEO and launched the charity with her husband. In a statement, Ms Lancey confirmed the trust ‘has entered a pre-liquidation stage’ and would be closing in January after seven years. Some 48 jobs have been lost.
Didsbury Gin
In January, the company behind the award-winning Didsbury Gin said it had gone into liquidation – owing close to £200,000 to creditors.
Launched back in 2017 by Mark Smallwood and Liam Manton, the gin maker became known for its hand-distilled creations which saw it earn a bronze prize for the World’s Best Classic Gin at the World Gin Awards back in 2022.
With flavours including the likes of raspberry and elderflower, blood orange and ginger and even Christmas Pudding, Didsbury Gin has been supplied in many bars, supermarkets and shops across the country over the years, including Wetherspoons, Aldi and Harvey Nichols.
Bodycare
Lancashire-born beauty chain Bodycare closed all its shops this year, after the company fell into administration. The closures came after the company reported facing rising costs and a shortfall in funding, which also affected supplier relationships and led to stock shortages.
For Greater Manchester the fall into administration saw the loss of Bodycare stores in Ashton-under-Lyne, Bury, Leigh, Bolton, Salford, Hyde, Rochdale and Royton as well as Manchester’s Arndale Centre outlet.
Claire’s Accessories
Claire’s Accessories closed 145 of its branches across the UK after falling into administration over the summer, putting around 1,000 jobs at risk..
For Greater Manchester this included sites in Rochdale, Bolton, Bury and Wigan as well as sites in the Salford Quay Outlet and the Manchester Fort Shopping Park.
Poundland
Poundland announced it would be closing a series of its stores as part of a major restructuring plan after the brand was sold to US investment firm Gordon Brothers for £1 due to the chain facing challenging trading conditions. Since announcing the chain’s restructuring plan, owners have closed a number of Poundland stores across UK high streets.
For Greater Manchester, closures have led to the loss of Poundland stores in Rochdale, Salford and Westhoughton, Bolton.
River Island
A store in Greater Manchester was one of those marked for closure by River Island, the retailer confirmed in August. River Island confirmed that it would be closing 33 branches across the UK after it got court approval for restructuring in the company.
Among the 33 branches marked for closure is the branch in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. It had previously been feared that without major overhaul the company would be forced into administration.
