London based leisure industry business
This business had a number of sites across London that were exclusive bars/restaurants. They had built up a VAT debt of over £350,000 and a PAYE underpayment of an additional £350,000. They received an unannounced visit from VAT who commenced the taking control of goods process to seize the assets of the business (fixtures and fittings, stock, furniture etc.). The day after this they received a call from a firm of bailiffs saying they were going to visit in 5 days to remove all these assets if the full amount was not paid. This would have been the end of this business and would have meant the loss of jobs to over 200 staff.
They contacted us and within 24 hours we had visited them and discussed the situation. We studied the taking control of goods notice and were totally confident it was invalid, and we could get it abandoned. We immediately contacted HMRC taking control of goods office in Leeds and supplied them with our evidence of why the taking control of goods process was invalid and requested that it was abandoned. HMRC immediately put the seizing of assets on hold whilst they assessed our evidence. They also immediately called off the bailiffs. This was a huge relief to the business. During the next few weeks we dealt with HMRC whilst the directors concentrated on running the business.
Eventually HMRC agreed that the seizing of the assets via taking control of goods was not valid and agreed to abandon it. We then negotiated a repayment plan for the outstanding debt that was acceptable to the business and HMRC.
Phil from Business Advice Services visited us very quickly after our initial call to them and we were extremely impressed with his knowledge and explanation of what our options were and how he could help us. Because we had the threat of the bailiffs coming due to the distraint our situation was very urgent. We instructed Business Advice Services to help us and over the following few weeks they did absolutely everything Phil said they would and I have no hesitation in recommending Business Advice Services. Excellent service and great value for money.” – GH, Financial Controller