A rogue till-roll supplier that tried to con hundreds of licensees has been wound-up.
Merchant Retail Supplies (MRS) tricked hosts into ordering till-roll by claiming it was the usual supplier, or would address it to the licensee or staff member without being ordered at all.
The items would arrive with a massive bill — typically over £200 for roll costing no more than £30.
The insolvency Service said: "'Not only did the company send unsolicited goods, but it also sought to prevent the recipient returning them by imposing restrictive terms and telling them that returns would be at the 'customers' own expense."
MRS "pursued the recipients of the unsolicited goods in an aggressive, threatening and intimidating manner". In some cases it threatening to charge interest up to £20 a day on outstanding invoices.
MRS' registered office in York was merely used for mail drop-outs and the company was "apparently controlled by persons based outside the UK". Those involved failed to co-operate with the investigation — and the company director was on "spiritual retreat" during the enquiry.
In 2007, trading standards in Kensington, London — where the company's head office was registered at the time — told the MA: "We've had hundreds of complaints [about MRS], mainly from pubs.
"We have no powers to do anything as the company is based in Canada."
The MA reported two years ago that Hertfordshire licensee Terry Scales of the Gallery Hall in Hailey was tricked by MRS twice in two years. He refused to pay a bill for £209.15, saying the roll was sent without being ordered.
All public enquiries about MRS should be made to the Official Receiver by ringing 0161 234 8531 or email piu.north@insolvency.gsi.gov.uk.
• Have you had dealings with MRS? Call 01293 610481 or emailing john.harrington@william-reed.co.uk.