Fans of comic book spin-off magazines and collectibles are mourning the news that Eaglemoss Ltd has filed for administration under the burden of massive post-pandemic debts.

In operation since 1975, Eaglemoss had grown into a leading specialist in licensed collectibles, producing, marketing and selling merchandise for cult film and TV series like Dr Who, Star Trek, Ghostbusters and DC Comics.

In particular, it is recognised as the world’s biggest name in so-called part works publishing -  a sub-category of the magazine industry that focuses on serialised, collectible publications with time-limited runs. Part works publications are often accompanied by free gifts for readers to collect. 

Read more: World’s Largest Collectibles Publisher Latest to Fall Victim to Post-COVID Slump

A former Premier League footballer who ran up huge gambling debts while struggling to pay his bills has been hit with extended bankruptcy restrictions.

Danny Guthrie, 35, who started his career at Liverpool before going on to play for Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United and Reading in the Premier League, admitted breaking insolvency rules after borrowing £75,000 from a friend.

The loan was made in May 2019 to help Guthrie through some financial difficulties on the understanding that he was in the process of selling a property to raise capital. A promise was made to repay the loan after the sale went through.

Read more: Footballer Slapped With Bankruptcy Order Over Gambling Debts

Contractors could end up footing the bill after a recruitment agency director who swindled HMRC out of millions in unpaid taxes received a paltry eight-year disqualification.

Adrian Sacco ran Manchester-based Best Employment Services (BES), an umbrella payroll company targeting high-earning contractors in IT, engineering and HR. 

The 55-year-old, who company records show has been director of a string of liquidated or dissolved payroll agencies over the years, faced investigation by the Insolvency Service after BES was wound up in 2019 owing at least £4.1m in tax to HMRC.

Read more: Contractors Face Losses as Tax-Dodging Director Gets Laughable Ban

The new head of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has told the government the UK’s late payment culture is hurting the ability of SMEs to deal with spiralling costs.

In an audience at Number 10 Downing Street, Martin McTague, who was appointed chair of the Federation in March, spelled out his concerns about the economic challenges facing the UK’s five million small businesses.

High on the list was the on-going issue of late payments, which McTague said was holding back post-COVID recovery in the SME sector and causing unnecessary financial distress as inflation hit a 40 year high. 

Read more: Late Payments Compounding Inflation Crisis for Small Businesses - FSB Chief