Jobs lost as firm is closed

Oban Stove Centre in liquidation

Another Oban business has shut up shop, with the loss of more jobs in the town.

Oban Stove Centre in Soroba Road ceased trading two weeks ago and last week its stock was auctioned off.

It was only in March that the the town lost the popular deli-shop Kitchen Garden in George Street.

In an online auction, overseen by Sweeney-Kincaid Industrial Auctioneers, 132 lots went under the virtual hammer.

The lots, which included a variety of stoves, three vans, office furniture, boxes of firelighters and a kettle, also included stock from Stirling Stove Centre Limited, the company’s other showroom.

Annette Menzies from Glasgow-based William Duncan (Business Recovery) Ltd was appointed provisional liquidator of Stirling Stove Centre Ltd by an order of court on May 24. Oban Stove Centre Ltd was registered as a dormant company.

A spokesman for William Duncan Ltd said: ‘Annette Menzies was appointed provisional liquidator of Stirling Stove Centre Ltd on May 24. The company traded from showroom premises in both Stirling and Oban. Both premises have now been closed and the company has ceased trading as result of the liquidation.

‘Unfortunately, it has not been possible to process any customers’ orders since the provisional liquidator’s appointment and, if deposits have been paid, customers should contact their bank or credit card company in the first instance.’

The spokesman added: ‘The liquidation of the company has resulted in six employees being made redundant. However, their statutory entitlement in terms of redundancy, payment in lieu of notice, wage arrears and holiday pay will be processed and paid for by the Insolvency Service and the provisional liquidator has made contact with all employees in order to explain the process.’

Creditors have been advised of the liquidation and have been asked to forward details of what is owed to them.

Last week Roger Lewis of Mull contacted The Oban Times to say he had tried unsuccessfully to pick up an ordered part from Oban Stove Centre after paying £134. After a number of failed telephone calls, he turned up at the shop only to find it shut with no notice on the door to explain why.

‘I am out of pocket for £134, as it stands, but if they have folded then a lot of people will have lost more money than that,’ he said.