Company administrations increased by 44% in the first half of the year.
Some 618 businesses went to the wall during H1, up from 429, according to data from restructuring firm Kroll.
The food and drink sector was knocked by more administrations over the six-month period than during the whole of previous year.
Fifty-six businesses filed for protection from creditors, compared with 53 during 2022. Construction and manufacturing industries suffered the most acute distress overall as they were hit with 79 and 71 company administrations respectively.
