More local businesses are at risk of going bust next year due to a high level of firms in distress and pent-up demand in insolvencies being filed.

McTear Williams and Woods, which has been tracking the number of companies in distress against the number filing for insolvencies, found that the gap between the two has risen significantly in recent years.

This suggests a pent-up demand in firms filing for insolvency and could see higher numbers going out of business in the coming 12 months as a result.

The Norwich firm, which provides insolvency and business recuse services, has been using its own index - with a base line of 100 - to track the financial situation of the region's firms since the start of 2008.

Until 2020, the amount of companies in distress has roughly stayed in-line with the number of insolvencies filed - the final three months of 2019 saw an index of firms in distress at 201 and the index of local insolvencies at 112.

During the last two years, however, the gap has sharply widened.

The most up-to-date figures shows that during the spring of 2021 the index of firms in distress at 214 - its joint-highest level since records began - and insolvencies at 101.

Since then, although figures on businesses in distress are not available, the first three months of 2022 has an insolvency index of 163.

"Logically the increase in the number of companies in distress is likely to lead to and increase in corporate insolvencies on a lag," said Andrew McTear, director of McTear Williams and Woods.

"Corporate insolvencies were incredibly low during the pandemic because of unprecedented government support for businesses, temporary restrictions on winding up petitions and businesses simply waiting to see how things turned out."

Not only are struggling businesses contending with the ending of government support, but this year's high inflation and falling consumer confidence will also have an effect and could lead to insolvencies across the UK doubling.

"High inflation is a game changer," Mr Williams added.

"Businesses are all suffering higher costs but some don’t have the pricing power to pass those costs on.

"Corporate insolvencies are rising and likely to continue to.

"If the UK goes into a recession, corporate insolvencies will at least double."

What to do if your business is financially struggling

Andrew McTear from insolvency and business rescue specialists McTear Williams and Woods provides his top 10 tips on what to do if your business is struggling.

  1. Know the financial position of your company. Prepare monthly management accounts and KPIs.
  2. Have financial forecasts for the year ahead. Integrated monthly profit and loss, cash flow and balance sheet forecasts are best.
  3. If cash is tight maintain a daily 12-week rolling cash flow forecast.
  4. Hold regular directors’ meetings and minute key decisions.
  5. If your company is insolvent act in the interests of creditors. Insolvency is defined as having a balance sheet with net liabilities or being unable to pay debts as they fall due.
  6. Don’t let HMRC debt get more than 12 months old unless you have and can keep to a time to pay agreement. Excessive HMRC debt is a common reason for directors being disqualified.
  7. If director/shareholders are paid through dividends consider switching to being paid a market salary and make sure you have a written contract of employment too.
  8. If you are considering injecting rescue funding into your company take advice first. There are relatively safe ways of doing this where you should be able get your money back should the company ultimately fail.
  9. Don’t drive your company into the ground or let the situation get you down.
  10. Most importantly take and follow professional advice.