- The Insolvency Service via Freedom of Information request (FOI019)
- Sector Classification: SIC 96020 (Hairdressing and other beauty treatment)
Data Period: 1 January 2015 - 30 April 2025
Last Updated: October 2025
Summary
This report presents insolvency data for UK hair and beauty sector companies (SIC 96020) from 2015 to 2025, obtained from The Insolvency Service via Freedom of Information request.
2024
Insolvencies
95 fewer than 2023
2025 (Jan-Apr)
Insolvencies
27.8 per month average
2023
Insolvencies
Highest in data series
2015-2019 Average
Insolvencies per year
Range: 119-202
Key Figures
- Highest number: 485 (2023)
- Lowest number: 119 (2015)
- 2015-2019 average: 163 insolvencies per year
- 2024: 390 insolvencies (95 fewer than 2023, -19.6%)
- 2025 (Jan-Apr): 111 insolvencies (27.8 per month)
1. Annual Insolvency Data
Insolvencies by Year
| Year | Total Insolvencies | Change vs Previous | % Change | Monthly Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 119 | - | - | 9.9 |
| 2016 | 138 | +19 | +16.0% | 11.5 |
| 2017 | 160 | +22 | +15.9% | 13.3 |
| 2018 | 197 | +37 | +23.1% | 16.4 |
| 2019 | 202 | +5 | +2.5% | 16.8 |
| 2020 | 180 | -22 | -10.9% | 15.0 |
| 2021 | 217 | +37 | +20.6% | 18.1 |
| 2022 | 430 | +213 | +98.2% | 35.8 |
| 2023 | 485 | +55 | +12.8% | 40.4 |
| 2024 | 390 | -95 | -19.6% | 32.5 |
| 2025 (Jan-Apr) | 111 | - | - | 27.8 |
Source: The Insolvency Service, FOI019 response
2015-2019 Period:
- Range: 119 to 202 insolvencies per year
- Average: 163 insolvencies per year
- Total: 816 insolvencies across 5 years
2020-2021 Period:
- 2020: 180 insolvencies (22 fewer than 2019)
- 2021: 217 insolvencies (37 more than 2020)
2022-2023 Period:
- 2022: 430 insolvencies (213 more than 2021, +98.2%)
- 2023: 485 insolvencies (55 more than 2022, +12.8%)
- 2023 represents the highest number in the data series
2024-2025 Period:
- 2024: 390 insolvencies (95 fewer than 2023, -19.6%)
- 2025 (Jan-Apr): 111 insolvencies (27.8 per month average)
- If Jan-Apr rate continues: approximately 333 for full year
Data Note
2025 data covers January to April only (4 months). The monthly average is calculated as 111 ÷ 4 = 27.8. If this monthly rate continues for the full year, the 2025 total would be approximately 333 insolvencies (27.8 × 12).
2. Regional Data
Insolvencies by Region (2024)
| Region | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % of 2024 Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 90 | 96 | -6 | 23.1% |
| North West | 60 | 88 | -28 | 15.4% |
| West Midlands | 52 | 40 | +12 | 13.3% |
| Yorkshire & Humber | 42 | 72 | -30 | 10.8% |
| East | 38 | 42 | -4 | 9.7% |
| East Midlands | 26 | 25 | +1 | 6.7% |
| South East | 25 | 37 | -12 | 6.4% |
| South West | 15 | 21 | -6 | 3.8% |
| North East | 11 | 23 | -12 | 2.8% |
| Scotland | 19 | 30 | -11 | 4.9% |
| Wales | 10 | 7 | +3 | 2.6% |
| Northern Ireland | 2 | 3 | -1 | 0.5% |
| TOTAL | 390 | 484 | -94 | 100% |
Source: The Insolvency Service FOI019. The 2023 regional figures sum to 484, one fewer than the 485 annual total above; the regional table is shown as supplied and the one-case difference is unexplained (possibly a record with no region).
Regional Distribution:
- London: 90 insolvencies (23.1% of total)
- North West: 60 insolvencies (15.4% of total)
- West Midlands: 52 insolvencies (13.3% of total)
- All other regions: 188 insolvencies (48.2% of total)
Year-on-Year Changes (2023 to 2024):
- 9 regions showed decreases
- 3 regions showed increases: West Midlands (+12), Wales (+3), East Midlands (+1)
Regional Data Limitation
Insolvency addresses may reflect the registered office location or insolvency practitioner address rather than where the business operated. Regional figures should be interpreted with this limitation in mind.
3. Comparative Data
Sector Insolvencies as Proportion of All UK Business Insolvencies
| Year | All UK Insolvencies | Hair & Beauty Insolvencies | % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 15,846 | 119 | 0.75% |
| 2016 | 17,806 | 138 | 0.78% |
| 2017 | 18,398 | 160 | 0.87% |
| 2018 | 18,698 | 197 | 1.05% |
| 2019 | 18,539 | 202 | 1.09% |
| 2020 | 13,424 | 180 | 1.34% |
| 2021 | 14,927 | 217 | 1.45% |
| 2022 | 23,407 | 430 | 1.84% |
| 2023 | 26,614 | 485 | 1.82% |
| 2024 | 25,418 | 390 | 1.53% |
Source: The Insolvency Service FOI019 and published statistics
Proportions Over Time:
- 2015-2019: Ranged from 0.75% to 1.09%
- 2020-2021: Ranged from 1.34% to 1.45%
- 2022-2023: Ranged from 1.82% to 1.84%
- 2024: 1.53%
Insolvency Rate Calculation
Based on 2024 data:
- 390 insolvencies
- Approximately 49,000 businesses in sector (VAT-registered and non-VAT)
- Rate: 390 ÷ 49,000 = 0.80% per year
Data Note
This calculation uses an approximate business population including both VAT-registered and non-VAT businesses. Using the ONS March 2025 estimate of 50,400 formal businesses instead gives 0.77%. Insolvency data primarily captures limited companies, while the business count also includes sole traders, so this is an indicative rate, not a precise failure rate.
4. Key Data Points
Overall Figures
- Total insolvencies 2015-2024: 2,518
- Highest year: 2023 (485 insolvencies)
- Lowest year: 2015 (119 insolvencies)
- 2015-2019 average: 163 insolvencies per year
Recent Years
- 2020: 180 insolvencies
- 2021: 217 insolvencies
- 2022: 430 insolvencies
- 2023: 485 insolvencies
- 2024: 390 insolvencies
- 2025 (Jan-Apr): 111 insolvencies
Changes Between Years
- Largest increase: 2021 to 2022 (+213, +98.2%)
- Largest decrease: 2023 to 2024 (-95, -19.6%)
- 2022 to 2023: +55 (+12.8%)
- 2024 monthly average: 32.5 per month
- 2025 monthly average (Jan-Apr): 27.8 per month
5. Methodology
Data Source
The Insolvency Service Freedom of Information Request (FOI019)
- Request submitted: 2025
- Sector: SIC code 96020 (Hairdressing and other beauty treatment)
- Date range: 1 January 2015 to 30 April 2025
- Geographic coverage: United Kingdom
- All insolvency types included
Comparative Data
- Total UK business insolvencies from The Insolvency Service published statistics
- Used to calculate sector proportion of total insolvencies
Calculations
Methods Used:
- Year-on-year changes: Current year minus previous year
- Percentage changes: (Change ÷ previous year) × 100
- Monthly averages: Annual total ÷ 12 months
- Proportions: Sector insolvencies ÷ all UK insolvencies × 100
- 2025 projection: (Jan-Apr total ÷ 4) × 12
Data Scope
What This Data Shows:
- Formal insolvency proceedings recorded by The Insolvency Service
- Limited companies primarily
- Date of insolvency filing
- Regional distribution based on registered addresses
What This Data Does Not Show:
- Voluntary business closures (non-insolvent)
- Sole trader business failures (unless formally recorded)
- Reasons for individual insolvencies
- Business closures that did not result in formal insolvency
- Exact date of business cessation (may differ from insolvency filing date)
Data Verification
All insolvency data can be independently verified through:
- FOI requests to The Insolvency Service (reference: FOI019)
- Insolvency Service published data
Correction notice — 15 October 2026
The 2015-2024 total was shown as 2,718; the correct sum of the annual figures is 2,518. The regional commentary said 10 regions fell and 2 rose between 2023 and 2024; the table shows 9 fell and 3 rose (East Midlands +1 was omitted). A canonical URL and a typo were also fixed. This page has not otherwise been updated since October 2025.