Ware With All: Greenock redundancies as business wound up

Bathroom supplies retailer Ware With All - which was based at Clarence Street - ceased to trade and appointed liquidators last week after more than 20 years serving Inverclyde.

A total of nine redundancies have resulted from the collapse of the company and customers face losing deposits of nearly £1,000 for products which have not been delivered to them.

The Telegraph was also contacted by one who said they paid £900 for a shower tray from Ware With All on January 10.

The customer said: "We received a phone call to say our order was ready to collect and when we turned up to collect it the shutters were down and there is no answer to the phones.

"A quick look on Companies House and they are being liquidated by court order.

"In essence, the directors of this company have taken our money when they knew that they were in the process of being liquidated."

Another customer reported that they also had an outstanding order worth three-figures and branded the current situation 'shocking'.

The company, founded in 2002 by Alan and Elizabeth Mortimer and originally located within Cappielow Industrial Estate, has brought in provisional liquidators Johnston Carmichael to begin the winding-up process.

According to its website, Ware With All initially supplied hotels and house builders across the UK.

In 2006, the business relocated to Fort Matilda industrial estate where it opened its first showroom before moving to a larger premises a decade later on the corner of Patrick Street and Clarence Street.

Ware With All (Image: George Munro)

Another customer, Paul Thomas, due to move into a flat on Kelly Street this month with his wife Rita, said he placed an order with the business late last year and is worried about missing out on the products.

The couple put down a deposit of more than £800 last November for new bathroom fittings.

Paul told the Telegraph: "We went round last weekend just on the off-chance someone was there and it was all shut up.

"We wanted to make sure everything was on track with our delivery.

"We've been emailing and phoning but haven't had any response.

"I'm hoping our stuff is there and they'll contact us to say pay the balance and we'll get it fitted.

"Otherwise we'll be looking for an alternative supplier and quickly. It's due to be fitted on February 19."

Ware With All (Image: George Munro)

Paul is hopeful his purchase will be protected, as he confirmed he used a credit card for the initial payment which accounted for half the total cost.

He shared his sympathy with the business owners at a difficult time, adding: "We were recommended [Ware With All] by another supplier and a family member who said they were very good, and to be fair, they were really good to deal with.

"I suspect the current financial climate is going to hit a lot of companies.

"They have quite a large showroom there, so energy bills will no doubt be through the roof.

"I understand they're quite a well-established company, they're not some fly-by-night business that gets a lot of orders then goes bust.

"I suspect they're just as disappointed as the customers, especially coming straight out of Christmas.

"I suspect other customers will be in worse situations than us."

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Graeme Bain, restructuring director at Johnston Carmichael, said: “I was appointed as provisional liquidator of Ware With All Limited by Greenock Sheriff Court on January 23, 2024.

“The company ceased to trade shortly before my appointment, unfortunately resulting in nine redundancies.

"I am in the initial stages of the liquidation and carrying out my statutory duties, which include assessing the stock and collating information on customers and orders as well as assisting former employees.

"I am in the process of contacting customers and suppliers directly about outstanding orders.

"Customers who have specific queries about outstanding orders can contact Johnston Carmichael on 0141 2225800.”