Police have launched an investigation into a north-east gardening firm amid claims more than £160,000 of work was not carried out.
The force yesterday confirmed they are looking into complaints regarding Gorgeous Gardens, run by George Knowles.
Last week, Aberdeenshire Council’s trading standards team revealed they were making inquiries into concerns from customers who claimed he had breached an agreement to only take money for work he could do.
In April last year, in a signed agreement with local authority trading standards officers, Mr Knowles said he would only take money for projects he could complete.
Mr Knowles also agreed that he would respond to customers, find a satisfactory solution to problems, not mislead people about products and not place barriers in front of people looking to terminate their contract with him.
But angry customers recently met in Aberdeen and shared their experiences – claiming Mr Knowles took deposits of thousands of pounds but failed to do the agreed work.
A police spokeswoman confirmed they were investigating the complaints.
“I can confirm it has been reported to the police now and an investigation will be carried out,” she said.
Last night, one of the group, Graeme Hay, of Inverebrie, near Ellon, said he was pleased police and trading standards were looking into the matter.
Last week an Aberdeenshire Council spokeswoman said: “George Philip Knowles trading as Gorgeous Gardens signed undertakings that he won’t mislead customers, that he won’t take deposits without being able to carry out the work within a reasonable time and that he will carry out services with reasonable care and skill.
“Allegations have now been made that he may have breached those undertakings and Trading Standards are investigating.”
