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Manchester retailer ordered to close over phoenix claims
A GROUP of kitchen retailers has been shut down, after swindling more than 20 customers out of money for work that was never intended to be carried out. The businesses, Smart Choice
Kitchens, Empire Kitchens and Bathrooms, and Connect Kitchens were all wound-up last month, during a hearing at the High Court of Manchester, after an investigation by the Insolvency Service. Investigators noticed a pattern of phoenixism, where a business would
take money from clients,
declare bankruptcy, and then resume trading as a new business. In total, 21 separate customers
complained to Action Fraud about the actions of Smart Choice Kitchens and Empire Kitchens and Bathrooms, alleging to have paid more than £50,000 to the two companies. Investigators feared Connect Kitchens would also operate in the same way. All three of the now-closed
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businesses shared Toni Amana Warrington as a director. Warrington and an associate of
hers were previously directors of three other kitchen companies that operated a similar business model. The chief investigator at the
Insolvency Service, David Hope, commented: “Phoenix companies being set up with the sole purpose of causing clear financial harm to the public will not be tolerated. “Stopping these companies from
trading will protect potential future victims, disrupt suspected fraudulent activity, and act as a deterrent to others considering a similar business model.”
Rebecca Nottingham bids farewell to kbbreview after 20 years
REBECCA NOTTINGHAM, kbbreview’s editor-at-large, is leaving after an incredible 20 years of service. Nottingham (pictured) started her career at
kbbreview in March 2005, eventually becoming deputy editor and then editor in 2019. She took up the roving editor-at-large role in 2023. She takes up her new job as communications
manager for a local authority at the start of March. “I’m so sad to be leaving kbbreview and Taylist Media
after 20 amazing years,” Nottingham said. “This has been planned for a long time and hasn’t been an easy decision but I’m keen for a new challenge and this is a great opportunity that I just couldn’t pass up.” Andrew Davies, managing editor of Taylist Media, has worked closely with
Nottingham for all 20 of those years. “I’m actually in denial that this is really happening,” he said, “Rebecca and I have worked together for so long that not only am I going to miss her as a friend, I’m also going to miss her encyclopaedic industry knowledge and her unerring ability to not only meticulously organise herself but me too.” Under Nottingham, kbbreview underwent a major redesign in September 2024. Following her departure, Davies will now assume the editor’s role.
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