Pay-out bid after firm shuts down (From Evesham Journal)

Pay-out bid after firm shuts down

TWO Vale women have lost compensation claims for unfair dismissal following the closure of an Evesham business.

Alison Magill of Pershore Road, Evesham, who earned in excess of £64,000-a-year as a director of Spook Erection Ltd formerly of Queens Road, Evesham, and Julie Williams of Avon Green, Wyre Piddle, checked incoming and outgoing payments, Birmingham Employment Tribunal was told.

The firm, which ran market halls, was formed in 1968 by the late Nigel Maby and his wife Lesley with branches in Evesham and Penrith at a time when large markets were at their peak.

The firm once employed 120 people and had a £5 million turnover, said Richard Stubbs, representing Spook. But the tribunal was told that the number of large markets had reduced in recent years and the firm’s turnover had dwindled.

Mr Stubbs said Miss Williams did not want to work from home as an alternative to losing her job, but there was not enough work for her anyway, and he said the firm no longer had scope for two directors – the other director being Mrs Maby.

“It was suggested that shares should be sold to help the business but that was not the answer,” said Mr Stubbs.

Mrs Maby ran the southern side of the business from Evesham and Mr Maby ran the northern area from Penrith.

But following his death, Mrs Maby decided to close the Evesham office. Both Miss Williams and Mrs Magill complained they should not have lost their jobs and said there had been a lack of consultation.

Tribunal judge Mr David Dimbylow said: “I have been told that the Evesham office became out of date with no computer and the ledger still handwritten and the business facing losses.

“Mrs Maby felt the office had become too large and too costly to run.”

He rejected both the women’s compensation claims.