Kitchen firms shut down after £50k deposit scam

Three companies based in Manchester have been shut down after they took deposits for 21 kitchens but failed to fit them.

Smart Choice Kitchens Ltd, Empire Kitchens and Bathrooms Ltd, and Connect Kitchens Ltd were all wound up at a hearing of the High Court at Manchester Civil Justice Centre on Tuesday after an investigation into their business practices.

The Insolvency Service found Smart Choice Kitchens Ltd and Empire Kitchens and Bathrooms Ltd claimed deposits of more than £50,000 from victims, before telling them, falsely, they had gone into liquidation and could not deliver the service.

There were concerns the subsequent phoenix firm, Connect Kitchens Ltd, would continue similar practices.

The three companies were all established between November 2022 and July 2023, and shared a director, called Toni Amana Warrington.

David Hope, of the Insolvency Service, said: "The victims found out about the companies through Facebook or Google and were treated in similar ways, losing hundreds if not thousands of pounds.

"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 potential future victims, disrupt suspected fraudulent activity."

Ms Warrington was also a director of three other companies which operated a similar business model.

Your Style Kitchens Ltd, Your Style Kitchens & Bathrooms Ltd, and Designer Kitchens and Bathrooms Limited, all stopped trading and were struck-off the Companies House register in August 2023, October 2023, and January 2024.

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