Bankrupt furious at failed annulment bid

Aug 14 2008 by Our Correspondent, North Wales Weekly News

A PIER boss has blasted a council for trying to force him out of business.

Steve Hunt, 36, owner of Colwyn Bay pier, lashed out after a court refused to annul his bankruptcy.

He angrily attacked Conwy County Council’s actions, but vowed: “They won’t beat me.”

He said he has reported the council to the local government ombudsman because of the way he has been treated.

“I’ll find the cash to come out of bankruptcy, perhaps by tapping my friends, and I’ll carry on with my ambition of restoring this fine old pier,” he promised.

“But I’m outraged by the way I’ve been treated. It means that the pier will have to remain closed, costing thousands of pounds. If only the money paid to lawyers could have been spent on restoring the pier.”

Deputy District Judge Gareth Humphreys ruled at Caernarfon Crown Court that there was no reason to lift the bankruptcy order made last month.

Mr Hunt owed business rates and council tax, but the court heard £3,800 of the £5,100 original arrears had since been paid.

He also owed more than £30,000 to his bank and for electricity.

Mr Hunt said he had not paid the total sum to the council because there had been a dispute about the amount and in fact they had reduced it by £700 to £4,400.

He accused the council of failing to release documents to him until it was too late, despite requests under the Freedom of Information Act.

Mr Hunt was unable to attend the hearing on July 17 when the order was made because he was on crutches following an injury.

He accused the council of being “totally disproportionate” in making him bankrupt. “The whole situation has been unfair and unjust,” he said.

He agreed there had been a judgement for £3,000 against him by Revenue and Customs, but he was confident this figure could be reassessed to his benefit.

Roderick Withinshaw, the trustee in bankruptcy, told the court there was £15,000 owing to the bank, £3,000 to a leasing company and a disputed amount to ScottishPower of £16,000.