The High Court has wound up three Manchester kitchen companies after an investigation by the Insolvency Service.
The business practices of Smart Choice Kitchens Ltd and Empire Kitchens and Bathrooms Ltd were investigated after they falsely told customers they had gone into liquidation and could no longer deliver the service promised – after taking over £50,000 in deposits from twenty customers. A third company, Connect Kitchens Ltd, was suspected of being a phoenix company set up to continue the same operation.
The three companies shared a director, Toni Amana or Toni Amana Warrington, and were set up between November 2022 and July 2023. Ms Warrington and another director were also found to be a director of a further three companies with similar business models: Your Style Kitchens Ltd, Your Style Kitchens & Bathrooms Ltd and Designer Kitchens and Bathrooms Limited. These company stopped trading and were struck off the Companies House register between August 2023 and January 2024.
Bank statements showed that most payments from the accounts went to Ms Warrington’s associate.
The victims found about about the companies through Facebook and Google. Twenty one customers complained to Action Fraud regarding two of the companies.
The Insolvency Service said: “Phoenix companies being set up with the sole purpose of causing clear financial harm to the public will not be tolerated by the Insolvency Service. Stopping these companies from trading will protect future victims, disrupt suspected fraudulent activity.”
Make sure you carry out the appropriate due diligence checks on any contractor to which you intend to pay a deposit.