Johnsons 1871 enters administration as Leonard Curtis executes same-day sale

Johnsons 1871 Limited, a Cheshire-based removals and relocation services provider with more than 150 years of trading history, entered administration on 28 January 2026. Andrew Poxon and Steven Muncaster of Leonard Curtis were appointed as joint administrators.

Immediately following their appointment, the administrators completed a sale of the business and assets to Amer Logistics Limited, securing the continuation of trading and preserving approximately 150 jobs. The transaction was implemented on a going-concern basis, allowing the business to transition seamlessly to new ownership with no interruption to customer services.

Founded in 1871, Johnsons 1871 operates nationally across home removals, storage, office relocations, and move management, serving a mix of public sector and blue-chip corporate clients. Headquartered in Knutsford, Cheshire, the family-run business had built a long-standing reputation as a full-service relocation and installation provider, with operations supported by a significant fleet and warehousing infrastructure.

Despite its established market position, the company encountered acute financial pressure in the lead-up to the administration. Rising fuel, energy, and labour costs weighed heavily on margins in a capital- and labour-intensive operating model, while broader economic conditions constrained pricing flexibility across the removals and logistics sector.

The administrators pursued an accelerated sale process to preserve enterprise value and protect the workforce, concluding that a prompt transaction offered the best outcome for employees, customers, and other stakeholders. The pre-packaged nature of the sale enabled the buyer to acquire the core trading business free from legacy liabilities, while retaining the brand, contracts, and operational platform.