At Fast Insolvency, we provide clear, compliant guidance on forming a phoenix company in Greater Manchester, a new business that rises from the closure of an insolvent company.
This route allows directors to start fresh, retain viable parts of the old business, and protect jobs, but strict rules apply under UK insolvency law in Greater Manchester.
We protect directors from liability while helping you start fresh with a viable new business in Greater Manchester.
Contact us today in Greater Manchester for free advice on phoenix company formation and to avoid the legal risks of getting it wrong.
A phoenix company is a new business that is formed after an insolvent company has been liquidated in Greater Manchester.
It often has the same directors, staff, and assets, but operates as a legally separate entity with a different name or structure in Greater Manchester.
Yes, forming a phoenix company is legal in the UK in Greater Manchester, as long as it follows the rules under the Insolvency Act 1986.
The process must be transparent, and directors must not trade while insolvent or breach restrictions on using the old company name in Greater Manchester.
Under Section 216 of the Insolvency Act 1986 in Greater Manchester, directors of an insolvent company are prohibited from reusing the same or similar name for 5 years, unless they follow strict exemption procedures.
Breaching this rule can result in personal liability in Greater Manchester for the new company’s debts and even criminal penalties.
You can apply for a Section 216 exemption in Greater Manchester if:
You buy the old company’s assets from a licensed insolvency practitioner in Greater Manchester
You notify all creditors and file the correct forms with the court and Companies House within 28 days in Greater Manchester
We can handle this entire process for you to ensure compliance in Greater Manchester.
A phoenix company in Greater Manchester can often retain key contracts, client relationships, and employees from the old business.
Transferring staff must follow TUPE regulations in Greater Manchester to protect employment rights.
All creditors of the liquidated company must be notified if the new company is using a similar name or operating in a similar way in Greater Manchester.
This ensures transparency and protects creditors from deception in Greater Manchester.
The assets in Greater Manchester including stock, equipment, or intellectual property, can be sold to the new company at fair market value by the liquidator.
You cannot transfer assets privately or below market value in Greater Manchester.
If the rules are not followed correctly, you could be held personally liable for new company debts or be disqualified as a director in Greater Manchester.
There may also be reputational damage in Greater Manchester if the new company appears to evade the old one’s obligations.
The typical process in Greater Manchester includes:
Entering a formal liquidation (CVL) in Greater Manchester
Valuing and selling the old company’s assets in Greater Manchester
Setting up a new company in Greater Manchester
Transferring staff and operations in Greater Manchester
Filing all legal notices and exemption forms under Section 216 in Greater Manchester
We manage this process end-to-end to ensure full compliance in Greater Manchester.
HMRC permits in Greater Manchester the formation of phoenix companies, but they monitor closely for misuse.
You must remain fully compliant in Greater Manchester with tax obligations in the new business.
If your company was forcibly wound up in Greater Manchester through compulsory liquidation, you must still follow the same name reuse restrictions and apply for court permission.
In some cases, HMRC or other creditors may object in Greater Manchester.
If the new company name is not the same or similar in Greater Manchester, Section 216 restrictions do not apply.
However, you still need to ensure that no misleading links exist in Greater Manchester between the old and new businesses.
A CVL in Greater Manchester costs from £3,000–£5,000 in Greater Manchester, plus legal fees for name reuse applications if needed.
The cost in Greater Manchester depends on whether you’re purchasing assets and the complexity of the liquidation.
We offer fixed-fee packages in Greater Manchester that include full phoenix company advice and compliance.
If you're closing an insolvent company in Greater Manchester and want to continue trading, legal guidance is essential.
We offer low-cost, legally compliant phoenix company services in Greater Manchester with expert oversight.
Contact Fast Insolvency now for free, confidential advice on forming a phoenix company safely and lawfully in Greater Manchester.
We cover Greater Manchester