Owner free of business deal at last

Grace Coull is relieved that Raw Deal has helped her back out of a contract she no longer wanted.

Last March she engaged Manchester-based firm National Building Sales to help sell the lease on her business, the Fishmarket Restaurant in Mallaig.

“The salesman was full of promises and assured me he was more than confident it would be sold within six months,” Grace said.

“He also said the company would never advise me to display a For Sale sign as it made us look desperate to sell, but that we wouldn’t need it anyway.”

The deal cost £800 plus VAT for a year, plus a percentage when the restaurant sold, Grace said.

But after nine months without viewings, she decided to cancel.

“I didn’t realise that after the 12-month period I would be required to pay a further £950 plus VAT, and that for two years after the termination date some commission may still be payable on any sale.”

Raw Deal contacted National Building Sales on Morag’s behalf and the good news is the contract has been cancelled.

A spokesman for the company said: “Obviously no guarantees can be offered in relation to a sale and there are factors beyond our control.

“Indeed, the uncertainty within the economy due to the Brexit issue is having massive ramifications, resulting in a lack of confidence both from a buyer’s perspective and also financial institutions to whom many buyers look in order to finance business purchases.

“However, as far as we are concerned there are no actual issues with this client.”

Grace said: “Raw Deal has come up trumps again. I am out of the contract with no extra costs at all. Thank you.”