Museum fit-out specialist in administration

Administrators are attempting to sell parts of Beck Interiors after the construction and fit-out firm, which works for museums and galleries in the UK and overseas, became insolvent last month.

Beck Interiors, which is based in Chessington, Surrey, and was established more than 30 years ago, has recently carried out projects for Aerospace Bristol; National Museum of Scotland; Natural History Museum, London; Science Museum, London; and the Burrell Collection in Glasgow.

Stephen Katz, David Rubin, and David Birne of Begbies Traynor were appointed as joint administrators to Beck Interiors on 23 July.

A statement from Begbies Traynor said: “In June 2024, the directors of the company instructed advisers to secure the necessary investment in the business following liquidity issues relating to an ongoing customer dispute, supply chain failures and increased costs on current contracts.

“Unfortunately, the process was unsuccessful, meaning that the company was no longer in a position to continue to trade as a going concern.”

Following their appointment, the joint administrators secured a pre-packaged sale of part of the business, including a major ongoing contract, which has resulted in the preservation of jobs and the retention of value within the company in terms of its order book, existing contracts and brand.

A pre-pack administration is a type of company administration process where the sale of a business is agreed prior to the administrator being formally appointed. The sale is completed either immediately or upon the appointment being confirmed.

The joint administrators are evaluating offers for the remaining parts of the business with the aims of securing further jobs and realising value for creditors. 

There is also a firm called Beck Interiors International, but this is a separate company and is not included in the current administration of Beck Interiors, according to the joint administrators.