More Than Mobility Powermatic shut by DTI, directors banned

spuds_2

Regular MSE'ers may remember the 8 page thread on Powermatic Adjustable Beds and it's follow-on company, More Than Mobility which I started on this board in 2007.

Both based in Metro House, Hunslet, Leeds, they targeted the elderly with high pressure selling tactics and had complete disregard for consumer regulations. An elderly relative of mine was a victim.

In the Manchester Court yesterday, More Than Mobility of Metro House, Pepper Road, Leeds, was wound up in the public interest. Here is the official statement:

http://insolvency-service.co.uk/viewpiucasedetails.asp?companyname=More%20Than%20Mobility%20Limited

The reasons given are all those outlined in the original thread:


Objectionable and inappropriate sales techniques

Misrepresentations made to gain access to customers' homes

Misleading/objectionable sale techniques during home visits

Manipulation of cancellation rights

Improper treatment of Crown liabilities

Dishonestly misleading a Finance Company

Abuse of Limited Liability

Failure to file information at Companies House
Failure to Produce Documents

The people who ran the company have been disqualified as directors:

Company secretary Amanda Goor - five years
Shareholder Damian Robert O'Reilly - six years
Company director Lorraine Bryan - seven years

It is also a major story in today's YEP:

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Leeds-firm-made-3m-preying.5899711.jp

Employees or customers of Powermatic/More Than Mobility may wish to contact the YEP, as Sophie Hazan would be interested to hear about their experiences: [EMAIL="sophie.hazan@ypn.co.uk"]sophie.hazan@ypn.co.uk[/EMAIL]

Once again, thanks to all the MSE'ers who contacted me with info and support after the original thread. That thread was removed in October 09 after a complaint to the MSE Abuse Team, who understandably have to look into these matters. It was getting a bit rambling and untidy anyway so I was ok about removal, knowing that things were coming to a head. I suspect it was an attempt to keep info out of the public domain.

I understand that the investigations are still ongoing into certain aspects of these companies activities. Bearing in mind that Powermatic creditors included the Inland Revenue for £22,000, there may be further action to be taken. I will keep you posted. Thanks again everyone, especially Inspector Ruth Hasling and the Insolvency Service.


Note: please do not confuse the companies named in this thread with other long-established companies with similar names. This thread refers specifically to More Than Mobility and Powermatic Adjustable Beds of Hunslet, Leeds.

edit: also now on This is Money (Daily Mail/Mail on Sunday site):

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/markets/article.html?in_article_id=495913&in_page_id=3&position=moretopstories