Ackers (Chemists) Limited Faces Winding-Up Petition
On 4 November 2026, a winding-up petition was presented against Ackers (Chemists) Limited at the Central Registry of Winding-up Petitions under case number CR-2026-008455. The filing represents a formal application to the High Court of Justice by a creditor seeking an order for the compulsory liquidation of the company. Under English insolvency law, presentation of a petition is not a determination of insolvency. It is an unadjudicated assertion of an outstanding debt, and the legal outcome remains entirely a matter for the court.
Petition details
The petition was registered on the court's CE-File electronic system as follows:
| Attribute | Court Record Details |
| :--- | :--- |
| Company Name | Ackers (Chemists) Limited |
| Case Number | CR-2026-008455 |
| Filing Date | 4 November 2026 |
| Court Registry | Central Registry of Winding-up Petitions (Rolls Building, London) |
| Case Type | Companies - Petition - Winding Up Petition |
| Petitioning Creditor | [Shown in the creditor report →](#offers-creditor) |
| Debt Amount | [Check the creditor report →](#offers-creditor) |
| First Hearing Date | [Shown in the creditor report →](#offers-creditor) |
| Petitioning Solicitor | [Shown in the creditor report →](#offers-creditor) |
For legal professionals requiring formal validation of the court record prior to commercial transactions, parties can [Get a Winding Up Search Certificate →](#offers-certificate).
Company snapshot
Corporate records available at Companies House document the trading profile of the business:
- Registered Name: ACKERS (CHEMISTS) LIMITED
- Company Number: 00535531 (view the full Corp Intel profile for 00535531)
- Incorporation Date: 9 July 1954
- Company Status: Active
- Registered Office: 94 Church Road, Swanscombe, Kent, DA10 0HF
- Nature of Business (SIC): 47730 (Dispensing chemist in specialised stores)
- Latest Balance Sheet & Accounts: [Check the creditor report →](#offers-creditor)
Incorporated over 72 years ago, the company operates within retail community pharmacy services under SIC code 47730.
Directors and ownership
The public register records the officers and beneficial ownership structures as filed. Insolvency filings attach strictly to corporate legal entities, and the inclusion of registered individuals below reflects statutory public records only.
Current officers
- Dr Himanshu Ramjibhai Patel: Director, British, resident in the United Kingdom, born May 1963. Appointment date is not stated in the published source.
- Mr Rakesh Ramjibhai Patel: Director, British, resident in England, born May 1960. Appointment date is not stated in the published source.
Past officers
- Mrs Madhuben Ramjibhai Patel: Director, British, born July 1931. Resigned 25 January 2021.
- Mr Ramjibhai Morarbhai Patel: Director, British, born August 1928. Resigned 22 December 2016.
- Mr Ramjibhai Morarbhai Patel: Secretary, British. Resigned 22 December 2016.
Persons with significant control (PSCs)
- Springate & Harrison Limited (Company Number 00226861): Corporate entity with significant control. Notified on 6 April 2016. Holds ownership of shares amounting to 75% to 100%.
- Mr Rakesh Patel: Individual with significant influence or control. Notified on 1 May 2016; ceased on 24 November 2025.
Recent filings and Gazette activity
As of 5 November 2026, no statutory advertisement regarding petition CR-2026-008455 has appeared in The Gazette. Under Rule 7.10 of the Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016, a petitioner must wait at least seven business days after serving the petition on the company before placing an advertisement, unless court permission is granted or the debt is settled.
Once advertised, notice of the petition becomes public knowledge, which routinely triggers the freezing of company bank accounts by financial institutions.
What this means for suppliers, creditors and counterparties
The presentation of a winding-up petition introduces immediate legal and operational considerations under Section 127 of the Insolvency Act 1986.
Under Section 127, any disposition of the company's property made after the date of presentation is void if the court subsequently issues a winding-up order, unless the transaction is sanctioned by a validation order from the court. This statutory provision directly impacts creditors, trade suppliers, and customers.
Scenario: Supply chain risk management
Consider an independent pharmaceutical wholesaler that holds an outstanding £35,000 trade receivable against a community pharmacy facing a petition. If the wholesaler accepts a bulk return of stock or takes payment via card or bank transfer without a validation order, an official receiver or liquidator could claw back those funds months later if a winding-up order is made.
Counterparty risk checklist
Credit controllers and commercial managers with direct exposure should take systematic steps:
1. Verify court status: Conduct a winding up search to establish whether the petition is active, adjourned, or dismissed.
2. Review terms of supply: Cease discretionary credit extensions. Move any ongoing, essential orders to advance payments or cash-on-delivery arrangements.
3. Assess Section 127 exposure: Identify any payments received from the company on or after 4 November 2026.
4. Monitor court listings: Check the daily winding-up petitions list and CE-File entries to follow the petition's listing date.
5. Automate alerts: Set up free company monitoring on the company number to receive immediate notifications of changes to the register.
How to run a winding up petition search
Commercial teams traditionally conduct due diligence by telephoning the Central Registry of Winding-up Petitions or reviewing court roll listings on CE-File. However, cause lists are updated continuously, and manual inquiries can miss newly presented petitions that have not yet reached advertisement in The Gazette.
Conducting an electronic winding up petition search across court databases enables credit analysts to identify filings within hours of entry, providing days of advance notice before trading counterparties and clearing banks become aware of the action.
For credit teams and suppliers
For commercial credit teams, wholesale distributors, and contract counterparties, running a verified search before releasing significant stock or extending credit terms is standard practice. Discovering a petition after delivering goods leaves unsecured creditors facing severe loss under statutory insolvency rules. Verification provides defensible compliance records before finalizing significant credit agreements.
FAQ
Does presenting a winding-up petition mean the company is insolvent?
No. The presentation of a petition is an allegation of an unpaid debt of £750 or more. Companies frequently dispute the debt, settle the underlying claim, or agree to statutory adjournments. Solvency is formally determined only if the court makes a winding-up order.
What happens to company bank accounts after a petition is presented?
While the petition itself is filed at court, commercial banks typically freeze company accounts as soon as they become aware of it, usually following advertisement in The Gazette. Banks take this protective measure to prevent liability under Section 127 of the Insolvency Act 1986.
When will this petition be heard in court?
A winding-up petition is typically listed for hearing within six to ten weeks from the filing date, depending on the availability of court time in the Companies Court of the High Court.
Can a winding-up petition be withdrawn before a hearing?
Yes. If the company pays the debt, agrees commercial terms, or successfully applies to strike out the petition because the debt is disputed on genuine and substantial grounds, the petitioner can withdraw the application with the permission of the court.
Disclaimer
This report summarises a petition recorded at the Central Registry of Winding-up Petitions. Presentation of a petition is not a determination of insolvency; the outcome is a matter for the court. Companies believing they are named incorrectly should email contact@corp-intel.co.uk.