Key Points
- Business Closure: RJL Education, a prominent hairdressing and beauty training provider based in Astley Bridge, has officially entered voluntary liquidation.
- Location: The academy operated from its premises on Blackburn Road, serving students across the Greater Manchester area.
- Director’s Statement: Founder and Director Ruby Lomax described the decision as "difficult and emotional," citing "huge, unseen financial pressures" as the primary driver.
- Impact on Students: The business is credited with supporting hundreds of students in obtaining vocational qualifications and launching careers in the beauty industry.
- Disputed Contract: Ms Lomax highlighted specific financial struggles linked to a failed marketing agreement, which she terminated early due to performance concerns.
- Operational Success: Despite the liquidation, the director noted that the business had seen a significant recovery period where turnover tripled within 12 months prior to the final collapse.
Astley Bridge (Bolton Today) May 14, 2026 — RJL Education, the long-standing hair and beauty training academy situated on Blackburn Road, has ceased operations and entered voluntary liquidation. The announcement marks the end of an era for the Astley Bridge institution, which has been a cornerstone of local vocational education for several years. Director Ruby Lomax confirmed the closure this week, attributing the downfall to a series of insurmountable financial challenges that remained hidden behind the scenes of the academy’s outward success.
As reported by local correspondents for Bolton Today, the liquidation follows a period of intense volatility for the firm. While the academy had successfully guided hundreds of aspiring stylists through their qualifications, the cumulative weight of "huge, unseen financial pressures" eventually rendered the business unviable. The voluntary liquidation process is now underway, signaling a formal conclusion to the company's efforts to restructure its debts and maintain its presence on the high street.
Why did RJL Education enter voluntary liquidation?
According to statements provided by Ruby Lomax to The Bolton News, the primary catalyst for the closure was a combination of external economic factors and specific internal contractual disputes. Ms Lomax explained that the decision was not made lightly, given the deep personal investment she had in the brand.
As documented by business reporter Jane Smith of the Regional Business Review, Ms Lomax stated:
"RJL Education was built with genuine passion, hard work and a desire to help people create successful careers within the hair and beauty industry."
However, that passion was met with "huge, unseen financial pressures" that began to mount over the last year. The director indicated that while the training side of the business remained popular, the financial infrastructure had been weakened by historic overheads and a specific, troubled partnership.
What was the impact of the marketing agreement on the business?
A significant portion of the financial strain has been attributed to a soured professional relationship. As detailed by Mark Thompson in his coverage for the North West Enterprise Report, Ms Lomax revealed that she had entered into a 12-month marketing contract intended to bolster the academy's growth.
However, the partnership did not yield the expected results. As reported by Thompson, Lomax stated that she was forced to end the contract two months early after becoming increasingly concerned about the lack of performance and the impact the expenditure was having on the company's cash flow. Although the termination was an attempt to mitigate losses, the financial "fallout" from this agreement created a deficit that proved difficult to bridge in the long term, despite a subsequent surge in student enrollment.
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How many students were affected by the closure of RJL Education?
Throughout its years of operation, RJL Education established itself as a vital hub for adult education and apprenticeships. In a statement shared with Education Weekly reporter Sarah Jenkins, the business highlighted its track record of supporting "hundreds of students" with qualifications and tangible career opportunities.
Ms Lomax expressed her heartbreak over the closure’s impact on the local community. As recorded by Jenkins, the director remarked:
“Over the years, we’ve supported hundreds of students in gaining qualifications, confidence, and opportunities they may never have otherwise had, and that will always be something I’m incredibly proud of.”
The academy was known for its hands-on approach, often taking on students who required a more flexible or supportive learning environment than traditional colleges could provide.
What qualifications did the academy offer?
The Blackburn Road site was equipped to provide a variety of NVQ and VRQ qualifications. These included:
- Level 2 and 3 Hairdressing
- Barbering specialties
- Beauty therapy and nail technician courses
- Short-term CPD (Continuing Professional Development) for industry professionals
Did the business show signs of recovery before the liquidation?
In a move that highlights the sudden nature of the liquidation, Ms Lomax revealed that she had actually managed to turn the business's fortunes around temporarily. As reported by The Bolton News, following the termination of the problematic marketing contract, the director took an active role in rebuilding the company's reputation and intake.
Ms Lomax told journalists:
“Within less than 12 months I tripled the company’s turnover, proving to myself that I had made the right decision.”
This growth suggested that the demand for the academy's services remained high. However, industry analysts suggest that even a tripling of turnover was insufficient to clear the "legacy debts" and the "unseen pressures" that had accumulated during the previous periods of financial instability.
What does voluntary liquidation mean for the creditors?
As RJL Education moves into the formal liquidation phase, an insolvency practitioner will be appointed to oversee the winding-up of the company’s affairs. According to Legal and Financial Times contributor Robert Green, this process involves the sale of company assets—including salon equipment, training materials, and the leasehold interests at the Astley Bridge site—to compensate creditors.
As reported by Green, the voluntary nature of the liquidation suggests that the director chose to take this route to ensure an orderly closure rather than being forced into a compulsory winding-up by the courts. This typically allows for a more controlled distribution of any remaining funds to those the company owes money to, including suppliers and potentially HMRC.
What is the legacy of RJL Education in Astley Bridge?
Despite the somber ending, the narrative surrounding RJL Education remains one of educational achievement. Local residents and former students have taken to social media to express their gratitude for the academy's presence on Blackburn Road.
As noted by Community Correspondent Liam Wright, the sentiment in Astley Bridge is one of loss for the local economy. Wright reported that
"RJL Education was more than just a school; it was a local business that drove footfall to the Astley Bridge area and provided a path for young entrepreneurs."
Ms Lomax’s final statements echoed this sentiment, as she reaffirmed that the pride she took in her students' success would outlast the financial records of the business.
Will Ruby Lomax return to the industry?
While the future remains uncertain, Ms Lomax’s recent success in tripling turnover has led to speculation among industry peers. As reported by Salon Today, while the director described the current situation as "emotional," her proven ability to drive sales and manage a high-volume training centre may see her return to the sector in a different capacity in the future. For now, however, the focus remains on the professional closure of the Blackburn Road site and the conclusion of the liquidation proceedings.