READ BURTON LIMITED
Company number 01003014 · Monitor this company
Executive summary
Read Burton Limited, formerly T.L. Darby Limited, represents a distressed mid-tier franchised motor dealership that has suffered catastrophic financial deterioration, with turnover halving from £46m (2022) to £24.2m (2024) and equity swinging from £1.38m to negative (£276k). The convergence of a poorly-timed Volkswagen-to-Hyundai franchise changeover, elevated interest rates suppressing consumer demand, EV transition disruption, and competitive pressure from new market entrants has overwhelmed what was previously a stable, long-established local dealership. The company's current liquidation status and registration at FRP Advisory's offices confirms formal insolvency proceedings, making this a cautionary example of how franchise transition risk, when combined with adverse sector conditions, can rapidly destroy shareholder value in UK motor retail.
Shareholders' funds
-£312,730
Balance sheet as at 2024-12-31
What it does
The principal activity of the company is that of a motor dealership and garage proprietor.
The company's own description, from its latest filed accounts.
Overview
- Company type
- Private Limited Company
- Incorporated
- 1971-02-22
- Employees
- 33 (2024 accounts · was 47 in 2023)
- Registered office
- C/O Frp Advisory Trading Limited Derby House, 12 Winckley Square, Preston, PR1 3JJ
- Postcode
- PR1 3JJ
- Capital
- 36,684 GBP
- Accounts category
- Full
- Charges
- 6 outstanding
Accounts
- Last made up to
- 2024-12-31
- Next due by
- 2026-09-30
- Financial year end
- 30 December
Confirmation statement
- Last statement dated
- 2025-10-20
- Next due by
- 2026-11-03
Nature of business (SIC)
- 45111 Sale of new cars and light motor vehicles
- 45112 Sale of used cars and light motor vehicles
- 45200 Maintenance and repair of motor vehicles
- 45320 Retail trade of motor vehicle parts and accessories
Officers 3 current · 10 resigned
Group structure
Controlled by READ MOTOR GROUP LIMITED — since 2024-03-13
Controlled by T.L. DARBY (HOLDINGS) LIMITED — since 2016-04-06
From persons-with-significant-control filings on the public register.
Contact details
- Website
- tldarby.co.uk
- Phone
- 01553600259, 01553600258, 01205331559
Previous company names
| Name | Date changed |
|---|---|
| T.L. DARBY LIMITED | 2025-06-03 |
Previous registered addresses 1
| Address | Changed on |
|---|---|
| BRIGADE HOUSE, NEW STREET, BURTON ON TRENT, STAFFORDSHIRE, DE14 3QW | 2014-12-15 |
The class of 1971
53%
of the 4,841 companies incorporated in 1971 are still active today; 41% have since been dissolved.
A fact about the year, not a forecast for this company.
Property in England & Wales 1 title
- Leasehold
- 1
- Most recent registration
- 2025-06-11
- Where
- Staffordshire
| Title number | County | Tenure | Registered | Price paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SF707283 | Staffordshire | Leasehold | 2025-06-11 | — |
For addresses and the authoritative register entry, use HM Land Registry's official search (£3 per title).
Information produced by HM Land Registry. © Crown copyright 2026. Dataset as at 2026-08.