Latest news with #businessclosure
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Beauty chain suddenly closes down as staff and customers are left in limbo and an investigation is launched into complaints
An Aussie beauty chain is being investigated after it suddenly closed down following complaints from customers and workers. Future Laser and Body Clinic, which had three stores in Sydney, has ceased trading. Employees claim they are owed money in both wages and superannuation with several complaints made to the Fair Work Ombudsman. Among those to complain is Mos X, a moss selling business founded by ex-Married At First Sight star Brent Vitiello. NSW Fair Trading confirmed to it was investigating Future Laser and Body Clinic. Future Laser and Body Clinic operated out of three stores in Granville, Chester Hill and Wetherill Park, with the latter closing months before the final two ceased trading. Frustrated customers have shared their negative experience on social media as they remain desperate for answers. Tatjana Nikcevic revealed she prepaid $760 for ten laser sessions at the Granville clinic as part of a promotion in January. She claimed to have only one session on March 13 and said she expect a refund. Ms Nikcevic said she 'works hard for her money' and the beauty chain 'needs to be held accountable'. Customers have branded the business 'disgraceful' and 'unprofessional' in several one star reviews online. Aesthetic Laser and Body Clinic Pty Ltd is the holding entity of the beauty chain and Ibrahem 'Ibby' Sabra, a 33-year-old from Sydney's west, is listed as the sole director and owner of the holding company. It's reported Bizcap AU, which provides small businesses with loans, launched winding up proceedings against the holding business and three other companies Mr Sabra directs in May. Mr Sabra featured on A Current Affair in 2023 after another business of his Elan Laser Clinics suddenly shut down.
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Member loses HK$38,000 as Hong Kong branch of Singaporean 1880 club faces probe
The sudden closure of 1880 Hong Kong, a private members club based out of Singapore, left members reeling, with one losing HK$38,000, paid out for a full-year membership just two months prior, while others have complained to Customs, alleging a violation of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance. The club, located in Quarry Bay's Two Taikoo Place, operated for only seven months before shutting down last Friday due to 'cash flow difficulties'. It has been accused of owing rent and wages to more than 100 employees, with some staff seeking help from the labour authorities. Hong Kong Customs said in response to queries from the Post, that they have received complaints and are investigating. Enforcement action will be taken if any breaches of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance are found. It added that it is an offence if a trader intends not to supply a product or has no reasonable grounds to believe they can supply it within a specified or reasonable period. Offenders could face a fine of HK$500,000 (US$63,760) and five years' imprisonment upon conviction. A marketing professional, who wished to remain anonymous, joined the club in late March for its co-working space and networking opportunities, paying HK$24,000 in joining fees and HK$14,000 for a full-year membership. 'We found that [the membership] is helpful for business, especially on the networking part … they kept assuring us that they have already operated in Singapore for more than seven years and they are a reputable membership club,' she told the Post.
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CNA
29-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
Deep Dive - Have rising commercial rents reached a tipping point?
Play Amid rising rents and growing competition, some Singapore businesses are closing down or relocating to cheaper premises. A local bakery in Siglap recently announced on social media it was moving out after its rent was increased by 57 per cent. Are commercial rent hikes spiralling out of control, or is this simply market forces at work? Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak to Ethan Hsu, head of retail at Knight Frank Singapore, and Terence Yow, managing director of Enviably Me Group of Companies and chairperson of the SG Tenants United for Fairness. Deep Dive - Have rising commercial rents reached a tipping point? Amid rising rents and growing competition, some Singapore businesses are closing down or relocating to cheaper premises. A local bakery in Siglap recently announced on social media it was moving out after its rent was increased by 57 per cent. Are commercial rent hikes spiralling out of control, or is this simply market forces at work? Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak to Ethan Hsu, head of retail at Knight Frank Singapore, and Terence Yow, managing director of Enviably Me Group of Companies and chairperson of the SG Tenants United for Fairness. 25 mins Deep Dive - Cabinet reshuffle: No big surprises but key moves to align the ministries under PM Wong's 4G team Prime Minister Lawrence Wong unveiled his Cabinet and one surprise was the lack of a second deputy prime minister. Instead, the new Cabinet includes three coordinating ministers. What does that signal? And will there be more changes to come? Steven Chia speaks to independent political observer Dr Felix Tan and Dr Elvin Ong of the National University of Singapore. 20 mins Deep Dive - GE2025: Are independent candidates a new force to be reckoned with? For the first time in 53 years, an independent candidate received more than 35 per cent of vote share, performing better than some smaller opposition parties. Jeremy Tan, who ran in Mountbatten SMC, and Darryl Lo who contested in Radin Mas SMC, join Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards to talk about lessons learnt from their campaigning and their future after GE2025. 21 mins Deep Dive - GE2025 results: A closer look at the strong PAP mandate and the opposition strategy Voters gave the People's Action Party and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong a clear mandate in GE2025. What accounted for the result and why couldn't the opposition parties make good on gains from the last election? Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards speak to Associate Professor Eugene Tan from the Singapore Management University and Dr Reuben Ng from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. 23 mins
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Severe weather does significant damage in LaPorte County, tears off half Amish Structures
TRAIL CREEK — A business in the Michigan City area had the upper half of its main building completely ripped away on the night of May 15 during a storm, which also caused major damage to several mobile homes from fallen trees and branches. Amish Structures at 8555 W. U.S. 20 in Trail Creek is now out of business until owner Donnie Pawlik rebuilds his main two-story showroom and workshop. Pawlik said he's already been in touch with contractors about rebuilding the upper level he used for storage. 'It's looking like, hopefully, in two to three weeks I should be back up and running,' he said. Seven display model wooden sheds were knocked over or blown around, with some of them destroyed, Pawlik said, noting that his other losses included 'dozens of pieces of outdoor furniture.' 'I'm not done assessing everything,' he said. Some of the debris from his parcel wound up on U.S. 20 or across the highway and in power lines, Coolspring Township Assistant Fire Chief Warren Smith said. 'It was a pretty big mess,' he said. Large, up to 20-foot sections of the roof landed in an empty lot across the four-lane highway about 200 feet away from the property, said Michigan City resident Bob Johnson, who lives nearby on Pahs Road. 'There are pretty big chunks laying all over there,' he said. Johnson said the storm lasted for only about 15 minutes and despite the high winds, lightning off in the distance and thunder, it didn't produce much rain. 'It was a quick storm," he said. "Came and went.' Pawlik, who's been in business there for nine-years, is also a provider of gazebos, horse shelters, tiny log cabins, pole barns and other metal structures. All of his products are made by the Amish in northern Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. 'They build and I sell it,' he said. Pawlik said he'll order new sheds for recent buyers of the ones damaged or destroyed. 'They were recently sold to customers waiting for delivery,' he said. Two families in Michigan City at Green Acres Manufactured Home Community and one family at nearby Dunewood Village Mobile Home Community along Indiana 212 were driven out of their residences by fallen trees and branches. 'They had to find somewhere else to stay for the night,' said Michigan City Fire Department public information officer Tia Free. Free said nobody in the damaged homes was injured. According to NIPSCO, there were over 4,000 customers in its Michigan City service territory and close to 1,400 customers in the LaPorte area still without power Friday afternoon. Firefighters responding to Amish Structures had to find other ways to get there, Smith said, because of trees blocking main routes in the unincorporated areas such as Wozniak Road, Johnson Road, 350 North and 300 North. There were many other trees down in Michigan City in areas that included Michigan Boulevard just south of U.S. 12. This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Wind tears off half of Michigan City business, drops trees on homes
The Sun
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Family-owned retailer in city centre closes for good after 295 years as boss says ‘it's difficult to swallow'
A FAMILY-OWNED firm has closed down after nearly 300 years, in a decision the boss says is "difficult to swallow." The company is believed to be the 'oldest' in the city, having been established 295 years ago. 1 Based in Coventry and founded in 1730, Astleys specialised in cleaning, hygiene and janitorial products. It has now closed for good after it entered solvent liquidation and ceased trading. Directors David and Jonathan said the firm is one of a few independent retailers still operating in the city as the West Midlands has seen a surge in multinational firms. The closure was caused by several factors, including consumer shopping habits changing after Covid-19. Rising costs were also an issue as operational costs were described as "increasingly difficult to swallow" by the directors. In their statement, they said that supplies felt pressured to reduce overheads, often prioritising "fewer, larger customers" over smaller independents which made it difficult to compete in a crowded market. In a joint statement they said: 'It is with great sadness that the directors of the business have taken the decision to end our relationship with thousands of wonderful customers. "However, it is time to make this decision whilst we are in the position to be able to withdraw with honour held. "We are conducting a controlled shutdown, ensuring that we pay all our staff, suppliers and other creditors. "Astleys has not gone bust, we are entering solvent liquidation." Popular crafts retailer takes swipe at bankrupt Joann with three word jab after all locations set to close "Many of our customers have said many wonderful things and expressed shock and disappointment. "We have heard that Astleys is part of Coventry, and indeed, after 295 years of employing Coventrians, serving Coventry businesses and paying our taxes and dues, we also feel that sentiment. They added: "If only history paid the bills." Astley's sold a range of practical products, including protective clothing, chemicals and tools. Customers on social media expressed sadness at the business' closure, commenting on the high quality, affordable clothing as the biggest loss. One customer wrote: "Astley's was a really good supplier and good prices. Shame this goes too." Online reviews praise friendly and knowledgeable staff, as well as good value, high-quality workwear. One reviews reads: "Great prices, great service, knowledgeable staff." The store was based in Coventry Business Park and employed staff from the local area. It comes amid nationwide closures affecting a range of independent businesses. This has affected historic family-owned businesses like a DIY shop in Yorkshire and a newsagents in Ely. Why are retailers closing shops? EMPTY shops have become an eyesore on many British high streets and are often symbolic of a town centre's decline. The Sun's business editor Ashley Armstrong explains why so many retailers are shutting their doors. In many cases, retailers are shutting stores because they are no longer the money-makers they once were because of the rise of online shopping. Falling store sales and rising staff costs have made it even more expensive for shops to stay open. In some cases, retailers are shutting a store and reopening a new shop at the other end of a high street to reflect how a town has changed. The problem is that when a big shop closes, footfall falls across the local high street, which puts more shops at risk of closing. Retail parks are increasingly popular with shoppers, who want to be able to get easy, free parking at a time when local councils have hiked parking charges in towns. Many retailers including Next and Marks & Spencer have been shutting stores on the high street and taking bigger stores in better-performing retail parks instead. Boss Stuart Machin recently said that when it relocated a tired store in Chesterfield to a new big store in a retail park half a mile away, its sales in the area rose by 103 per cent. In some cases, stores have been shut when a retailer goes bust, as in the case of Wilko, Debenhams Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and Paperchase to name a few. What's increasingly common is when a chain goes bust a rival retailer or private equity firm snaps up the intellectual property rights so they can own the brand and sell it online. They may go on to open a handful of stores if there is customer demand, but there are rarely ever as many stores or in the same places.
