Fears are growing that the collapse of a well-known Ayrshire kitchen and bathroom retailer has left hundreds of customers out of pocket.
Yesterday, Ayrshire Live broke the news that Karol Janik Kitchens & Bathrooms, in Callander Road, Ayr, suddenly closed without warning.
A “permanently closed” notice was attached to their website information and, as of yesterday lunchtime, the company was still listed as ‘active’ on Companies House.
However, last night they updated the firm’s status, saying on Thursday, March 24, the “appointment of provisional liquidator in a winding-up by the court” had been made.
Their registered office address has also changed from Wellington Square, Ayr, to an address in Renfrew, which belongs to a firm called Azets, an accountancy and business advisory group.
One customer has already been in touch about the collapse of the business, saying he’s owned £30,000.
He revealed: “I have used Karol Janik in the past and this time around I’d given the firm £30,000.
“Now all I have is half a kitchen.
“I’ve been in touch with the firm to find out what’s happening but no-one is telling me anything.
“I’m pretty sure I’m not the only person who is owed money, I bet there are hundreds and they could be owed hundreds of thousands of pounds.”
The family-owned business had been a presence in Ayrshire for around four decades.
Calls to the firm about their financial situation were met with an answer phone message which said: “We are unfortunately currently closed due to a positive Covid test.
“We hope to re-open on Monday, March 21.”
The firm say they are a “family-owned business with over 39 years of experience in fitted Kitchens and Bathrooms.”
The situation at Karol Janik Kitchen & Bathrooms echoes the collapse of another Ayrshire firm two years ago.
In July 2020, Ayr-based Digital Kitchens and Bedrooms went bust, leaving scores of customers out of pocket, after they forked out tens of thousands of pounds in deposits for products and work that wasn’t carried out.
As many as 15 people lost their jobs, with customers furious at losing their hard-earned cash in the collapse.
At the time demands were made for the financial dealings of the firm to be investigated by the UK Treasury Department.
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