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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| MFI closure 'left me destitute' | MFI closure 'left me destitute' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| By Martin Shankleman Employment correspondent, BBC News Kitchen fitter Barry Maiden (right) with a customer | By Martin Shankleman Employment correspondent, BBC News Kitchen fitter Barry Maiden (right) with a customer |
| A self employed fitter for MFI says he has been left "destitute" by the collapse of the furniture chain, which has now ceased trading. | A self employed fitter for MFI says he has been left "destitute" by the collapse of the furniture chain, which has now ceased trading. |
| Barry Maiden, 48, claims he was owed £5,000 by the company, but has been told by the administrator he will get just a fraction of that. | Barry Maiden, 48, claims he was owed £5,000 by the company, but has been told by the administrator he will get just a fraction of that. |
| He reckons he will receive £12.25 in settlement of the debt, and in the meantime says he has no money coming in, and is not eligible for welfare benefits. | He reckons he will receive £12.25 in settlement of the debt, and in the meantime says he has no money coming in, and is not eligible for welfare benefits. |
| "It's ruined my Christmas, I haven't got a Christmas, I've got an overdraft bouncing near its limit," he said from his home near Runcorn in Cheshire. | "It's ruined my Christmas, I haven't got a Christmas, I've got an overdraft bouncing near its limit," he said from his home near Runcorn in Cheshire. |
| Barry worked as a trouble shooter for MFI, and was employed on a sub-contract basis to rectify problems with kitchen installations. | Barry worked as a trouble shooter for MFI, and was employed on a sub-contract basis to rectify problems with kitchen installations. |
| He has 20 years experience, and worked exclusively for MFI for the last year. Now he says he regrets putting all his eggs in one basket. | He has 20 years experience, and worked exclusively for MFI for the last year. Now he says he regrets putting all his eggs in one basket. |
| When the company first got into financial difficulties in the autumn, Barry says he was reassured by a letter sent from the chief executive which promised he would be paid. | When the company first got into financial difficulties in the autumn, Barry says he was reassured by a letter sent from the chief executive which promised he would be paid. |
| I've been stressed, had a breakdown, shaking in tears Barry Maiden MFI Customers can pursue refunds | I've been stressed, had a breakdown, shaking in tears Barry Maiden MFI Customers can pursue refunds |
| Dated 3 October 2008, it read: "Dear installer, I am writing to give you the assurance that the team and I will ensure you receive payment for any work you carry out on our behalf as we consider you to be a critical contributor to our future success." | Dated 3 October 2008, it read: "Dear installer, I am writing to give you the assurance that the team and I will ensure you receive payment for any work you carry out on our behalf as we consider you to be a critical contributor to our future success." |
| It went on to say that the payments may take longer to clear, but that Mr Maiden would "definitely" receive them. | It went on to say that the payments may take longer to clear, but that Mr Maiden would "definitely" receive them. |
| Barry says he drew comfort from the letter adding "absolutely, why doubt the man at the top?" | Barry says he drew comfort from the letter adding "absolutely, why doubt the man at the top?" |
| In December he received a letter from the administrators, Zolfo Cooper, warning there was so little money to settle his debts that they were offering to give him 0.245p for every pound owed by MFI. | |
| That meant his debt of £5,000 would equal a payout of £12.25, which he thinks he could get sometime next summer. | That meant his debt of £5,000 would equal a payout of £12.25, which he thinks he could get sometime next summer. |
| "I've been stressed, had a breakdown, shaking in tears," Barry said. | "I've been stressed, had a breakdown, shaking in tears," Barry said. |
| Despite his financial problems, Barry will this weekend finish an installation for an MFI customer caught out by the collapse, and left with an unfinished kitchen. | Despite his financial problems, Barry will this weekend finish an installation for an MFI customer caught out by the collapse, and left with an unfinished kitchen. |
| He will complete the installation for nothing. | He will complete the installation for nothing. |
| Barry said: "He was my customer, he will obviously appreciate it, and we don't drop people in the proverbial." | Barry said: "He was my customer, he will obviously appreciate it, and we don't drop people in the proverbial." |
| He has applied for a job at another leading kitchen supplier, and hopes to start work in late January, but in the meantime says he is worried that no money is coming in. | He has applied for a job at another leading kitchen supplier, and hopes to start work in late January, but in the meantime says he is worried that no money is coming in. |
| No-one from Zolfo Cooper was available for comment, when contacted by the BBC. | No-one from Zolfo Cooper was available for comment, when contacted by the BBC. |