Highland Trading Standards takes enforcement action against local fireplace installer
A local business concerned with the sale and installation of home heating, stoves, fireplaces, bathrooms and renewables has been issued with a court order requiring it to carry out future work with reasonable care and skill and without excessive delays.
After an application by Highland Council Trading Standards, Inverness Sheriff Court granted an Enforcement Order under the Enterprise Act 2002 against Diane Urquhart, Director of Inverness Fireplace and Heating Centre, Telford Street, (previously Tomnahurich Street) Inverness and Mr Michael Armour formerly a Director of Armour Heating Limited and an employee of Inverness Fireplace and Heating Centre.
Trading Standards took formal action following a significant number of complaints received regarding shoddy, sub-standard work while installing fireplaces and stoves in consumers’ homes. Many of the complaints also involved excessive delays in completing work which had been undertaken, causing months of upheaval and inconvenience for many consumers. Over the period of the investigation Trading Standards received a total of 42 complaints which involved contracts worth a total of over £100,000.
Trading Standards Manager Gordon Robb commented: “This is a significant number of complaints to receive from a local business in this sector. In general complaints of this nature are resolved following advice to the business concerned. Unfortunately in some cases a business will fail to co-operate and comply with their legal obligations and in such circumstances we will not hesitate to take formal action to ensure that local consumers are protected.”
Any future breach of the Enforcement Order may be deemed contempt of court and punishable by a fine or imprisonment.
Consumer advice can be received from Trading Standards partner body the Citizen Advice Consumer Service through their national telephone helpline number 03454 040506. Alternatively contact can be made directly to Trading Standards at 38 Harbour Road, Inverness IV1 1UF or by email on trading.standards@highland.gov.uk