How can I tell if a Company has 'gone under'

[Jules001]

I have reason to suspect that a Company has 'gone under' within the last week, is there any way of finding out. Companies House still has the status as 'active' but I don't know how soon this would be updated. The Company in question owes money to a family member and obviously the sooner we can find out one way or another the sooner we can do something about getting the monies owed.

TIA

[StarskyH]

If they are not answering the phones or responding in any way then it might be the case. If they have gone into voluntary liquidation or hade receivers appointed, then the normal course of action is that all secured then unsecured creditors will be informed. You might try the London Gazette for information.

[Buenchico]

In some circumstances, a company will continue to be shown as 'active' on the Companies House register for at least a year after going into voluntary liquidation. This is from the Companies House website:
"Whatever the proceeding, the company is insolvent and will eventually go off the Register, won�t it?
In a members� voluntary liquidation, the directors swear a statement, known as a declaration of solvency, to say the company will be able to pay all its debts within a period not exceeding twelve months. The company would not be 'insolvent'. Only liquidations result in the company being automatically dissolved. It is possible, following the conclusion of a receivership, administration or corporate voluntary arrangement, for a company to remain on the live register and continue trading."

As StarskyH suggests, the Gazette might be the best place to look for information. However, a notice also has to be placed in a local newspaper in the area in which the firm is trading. Further information is under 'Who must be told that a company is in administration?' in Chapter 3, Part 1, Section 4, here:
http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/about/gbhtml/ gbw1.shtml

Chris

[Jules001]

thanks to both of you, my son works (sorry worked) in a shop and we knew they were short of staff so when we heard they were shut the other day we assumed it was because of staff shortages, however my son went to the shop yesterday he found it shut and all the stock removed. He has been in touch with someone from the company and they say they are going to post a cheque to him for the salary he is due (we will wait and see!) Nice of them to tell him they were closing though wasn't it?