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Anger as Mr Plumber Training goes into liquidation

A company set up to train plumbers and gas engineers has gone down the drain leaving its customers high and dry.

Some had paid thousands of pounds just days before Mr Plumber Training, on the Church Road Business Centre, Murston, went bust.

Michael Bush, 28, from Sittingbourne, says he has been left £6,000 out of pocket.

Mark Ongley, left, and Phil Hickey at the launch of the Mr Plumber training centre
Mark Ongley, left, and Phil Hickey at the launch of the Mr Plumber training centre

He said: “There were 10 of us on the course. I had already paid £4,000 up front and was asked to pay another £2,500 on Friday in cash.

"Then on Tuesday we were kicked out at 2.30pm because the firm was closing early.

“On Wednesday we were told the firm was going into liquidation and we were locked out. We couldn’t access any of our work.”

Mr Bush has been retraining as a plumber as part of a career change.

He said: “This company had been recommended to me by a friend. I’ve lost all my savings. I reckon the 10 of us alone have lost about £60,000.”

Carl Brown, 58, a father-of-four from Sheraton Court, Walderslade, had also been on the 17-week course but after less than three weeks was thrown out, too.

He said: “Apart from the £5,000 I have lost, I am trying to sign up with another supplier but I am struggling to get my work notes to prove what exams I have already sat.

Carl Brown has been left out of pocket by Mr Plumber
Carl Brown has been left out of pocket by Mr Plumber

"I am devastated. This has been a real setback and caused no end of distress to me and my family.

“Apart from wanting a full refund, I would also like to know why was Mr Plumber Training and Assessment was still taking part or full payment for courses a day before they announced that they were ceasing?

“Why we were led to believe that once training was complete we would be offered a guaranteed placement with their sister company Mr Plumber Kent when this company had also ceased trading?”

He had taken early retirement and was retraining as a gas engineer to help his grown-up children work on their homes.

He added: “It is criminal they were still taking people’s payments days before closing down. They must have known.

"We have been scammed and misled. I should have realised something was wrong when they had to rush out to buy stock for our practical exercises.”

It is understood lecturers have also been left out of pocket. The company was founded in September 2015 by plumbers Mark Ongley and Phil Hickey.

At the launch, Mr Ongley, who grew up in Medway and lives in Sittingbourne, said: “We have interest from ex-Army, commercial and local businesses.

"We’re really excited for the future.”

Mr Hickey said: “We’re just two plumbers who wanted to be able to give others an honest trade and open a training centre like no other.”

There has been no reply from the company for comment.

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