Hidden costs on the Hill

by Rob Smith

Following local traders’ discontent about their newlyinstalled green shutters, I went back to see how some had been getting on.

“I’m annoyed,” said Nellie. “The company charges to repair faults, £95 or £150 after 5.30pm. These charges weren’t revealed before fitting.”

Mr Abdullah of Ellesmere Road Newsagents said he’d been billed £167 for an emergency call out. “I disputed this and went to see Saghir of New Deal, the issue is still not resolved.”

SR Raja and Nephew said “The shutters aren’t that good – the controls are faulty and when they break it’s the whole day’s business done.” Multiple shop owner Mr Shah explained the remotes pack in and cost around twenty five pounds each. “Defence Security Shutters (DSS) got the main lump of the work. In my opinion they’ve overcharged New Deal for the job.”

I spoke to DSS Director, Mr Sufian Abdullah. “Of the 100 products we supplied there’ve been issues with six, many are teething problems and any outstanding issues are being dealt with on an individual basis.” He added that the company felt their call out charges were reasonable. I asked Mr Abdullah why the charges had been withheld from the original quotes. He informed me, “We were never asked.”

Local businessman Nigel Pawarna is annoyed, he feels New Deal have lined the pockets of this business. “I have two shops and had shutters installed for £1,200 just months prior to this scheme. New Deal allocating five grand per shop somehow means we now have shutters installed by this company, who charge over £3,000 each.”

Lee of Lee’s Appliances said he wasn’t happy, “I got two quotes – the other from a company across town that was cheaper, but I had no say in who did the work, New Deal had already made their mind up.”

I asked Saghir Ahmed, New Deal Business Champion, if he felt the Security and Environmental Scheme had gone through the right process before allowing DSS to supply and fit most of the shutters.

“The contract is between shopkeepers and DSS,” confirmed Saghir. “Responsibility for obtaining two quotes for repairs to fencing, lighting, wiring, CCTV installation and security shutters up to the value of £5,000 rested with each business. DSS came recommended by the Police and gave me a presentation. I suggested they promote their services to the community, that’s why they got so many quotes. No one supplier was recommended above others, First Choice Shutters and other companies also did various work.”

“Businesses’ quotes were presented to a panel, comprising of a member of the Police, a New Deal Community Rep and a theme manager.They made the final decision.” – Saghir Ahmed

I enquired if Saghir was aware, as many business owners weren’t, of the charges. “In the original quotes there was no mention of the charges you’re talking about, but each business was asked to confirm they were happy with the work before invoices were paid.”

My concerns are not only about the tendering process and the way this contractual agreement was reached, but also the lack of insight into the full costs. Although still under warranty many proprietors are now worried their modern electric shutters may become just as expensive to maintain as they were to install.