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Secret Millionaire’s broke firm ‘evicted 120 small businesses’
Peter Dominiczak27 May 2009
A company headed by a businessman who appeared on the television show Secret Millionaire has left a string of small businesses needing new premises after it went into liquidation.
Paul Williams's MLS Group has been accused of refusing to pay back thousands of pounds in retainer deposits to some of the 25 small firms forced out of offices in Appleton House in Hammersmith this week.
In January the company, Britain's second biggest operator of business centres, evicted 60 small businesses renting offices above Great Portland Street Tube station and a similar number above Warren Street Tube station.
The company which leases business properties from landlords before renting them to small firms, has offered tenants alternative premises through another company. However, many clients have said these are unsuitable.
Furious business owners claimed today that MLS continued to accept deposits from firms despite its troubles.
Maria Connor, 43, from Richmond, is a director for tour operator Bancotel. Her firm had been in Appleton House for two months when they heard they would have to leave. She said MLS had previously assured her that her deposit would be safe if the company folded.
MLS have refused to repay the £2,700 and Ms Connor said her business may now have to sack staff.
She said: “I'm only asking for my deposit back so we can carry on trading which is not easy at the moment because of the economic situation. They offered us other premises but I don't want anything more to do with MLS. All I want is our money back. MLS have acted terribly.
“In the office next to ours, an elderly man running a business died a few days ago after a heart attack. He was incredibly upset about the situation and we are all worried that this stress contributed to his death.”
Dan Hathaway, 31, who runs recruitment company Ascent Sourcing, said: “None of us ever knew what was happening. All the cleaners and other support staff were made redundant and the internet was turned off without warning. All we had was a letter from MLS telling us we should think about leaving. They took £12,500 rent from us a month ago knowing they were in trouble.
“Thankfully I managed to get the money back, but we have still lost a lot and MLS has refused to give anyone else their money back. Everyone in the building has lost out massively.”
Stephen Alambritis, from the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “These are tough times for small firms. It is a great shame when a business closes though no fault of its own because of the mistakes of a landlord.”
MLS chief executive Mr Williams appeared on the Channel 4 show Secret Millionaire two years ago. The programme follows wealthy philanthropists going undercover to find deserving causes for their money.
Mr Williams, 51, said to be worth £60million, and his son Ben, 23, travelled to an estate in Middlesbrough for the programme.
A spokesperson from MLS said: “Throughout this difficult process MLS has worked to ensure that it achieves the best outcome for as many affected parties as possible, in particular clients and staff. MLS is pleased to confirm that the majority of centres continue to operate as serviced offices, preserving jobs and mitigating, if not removing, any disruption to clients.”
Reader views (6)
One day someone may have the misfortune of doing something like this to me.
- Neil, Coventtry, 27/05/2009 23:58
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He is a Tory supporter is he not? They would love him as an MP, give him a call Dave.
- Kerry, Purley, 27/05/2009 15:53
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Small businesses are having a hard time of it at the moment anyway. Adding to this by refusing to pay back money owed to them when you clearly have the funds is outrageous.
- John Lovewell, London, 27/05/2009 15:04
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LOL Secret Millionaire show, is all about boosting their own egos.
You can do charity work without televising it, I an always very dubious of the people on this particular show.
And if he is worth as much as they say he should get his own wallet out, oh sorry that wouldn't get aired on TV would it.
- P Staker, London, 27/05/2009 13:34
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If he's worth £60 million then he could well afford to dip in to his own pocket and do the right thinbg by these people. More scum! He should become an MP.
- Mel Barrows, Tenerife. Canary Islands., 27/05/2009 11:32
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The rich robbing the poor again, sounds all to familar in todays Britain. We need a Robin Hood!
- Mike, London England, 27/05/2009 09:35
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