Watchdog visits removals firm

The newly appointed ombudsman for the UK removals industry has visited Shropshire's Glyn Upton Removals as part of a country wide fact finding tour.

Matti Alderson is visiting large and small professionals in the business to learn as much as she can in her new role as the independent decision maker dealing with consumer and commercial complaints.

"I was recommended to visit Glyn Upton's because they are a long standing business knowledgeable about removals of all kinds and well known in this part of the country," said Matti, who is also visiting a wide range of removals firms around the UK.

"I am here to learn from people who know the industry in depth," said the former Director General of the Advertising Standards Authority who is also a Press Complaints Commissioner.

During her three hour visit to Glyn Upton's Cluddley depot next to the M54 Wellington junction, she was accompanied by Martin Rose, of the National Guild of Removers and Storers, a founder member of the Ombudsman scheme for the removals industry.

"We want to encourage the public to deal with firms that will ensure they get the highest standards of service. Those companies which are members of the Ombudsman Scheme are the ones which consumers should be looking for," said Mr Rose.

He warned people who were due to move home or office to beware of "cowboy" removals firms which offered a good price but often were not properly insured, drove dubious trucks, had untrained staff and were not a member of any trade organisation.

"It is all of your worldy goods they are moving so you want the best of care. You shouldn't even think of using any removals company that is not a member of the National Guild of Removers and Storers or even the British Association of Removers. A company like Glyn Upton is a member of both. We are proud to have them as members because this is a very well run business."

Industry horror stories include one cowboy firm which vanished taking with it the furniture and effects from 18 separate households. Many "one man and a van" concerns are also not insured for damage or breakages, he warned.

Glyn Upton, whose daughter Sarah is the fourth generation in Shropshire's best known family removals firm, said he was honoured to have been seen as a model for how a good business in this sector should be run. His is the only Shropshire firm to be a member of the Ombudsman Scheme, which has around 300 members across the UK.

"It is a good idea to be a member as it safeguards the public," said Glyn, whose grandfather started the original Upton's business in the county.