CONCERNS have been raised over thousands of pounds in pension payments belonging to former staff at a wedding venue, prompting the launch of an investigation. 

Prested Hall in Feering closed suddenly in September.

A number of employees were subsequently made redundant as liquidators Parker Getty Limited were parachuted in to take control of the business and its affairs.

Ex-employees have now raised questions over the whereabouts of their pension contributions despite the money being deducted from their wages.

According to a growing number of upset workers, payments to True Potential were reflected on their payslips during their employment.

However, they have since found the pension company has found no records of their accounts ever being activated.

Gazette:

One front-of-house employee, 50, who left the company shortly before it folded, says more than £1,000 of her pension payments are currently unaccounted for.

She said: “True Potential told me they cannot find anything from me - there is no pension and so this has opened a can of worms.

“There are a lot of girls who have not got their pensions either and they do not know where they have gone - if you add us all together it is a lot of money.

“Because some of us left before it went into liquidation we are not on the creditors list, but we should be because we are owed money.

“That is my retirement money, which is owed to me.”

According to documents on Companies House, Prested Hall Ltd owed more than £1.3 million to creditors  including local suppliers at the time of the closure.

Another ex-employee, who was at Prested Hall for three years, says her name is on True Potential’s system but, again, no contributions have been made.

She said: “We have all had money taken from our wages but we don’t know where it has gone. Dozens have discovered there are no pensions in their pots.

“I have asked what they have done with my money but nobody will answer that question.”

Within weeks of Prested Hall shutting down the venue was reopened under new management.

Gazette:

Farheen Qureshi, Parker Getty liquidator, said: "My team and I have become aware of payments being incomplete on staff pensions. 

"This matter is serious and is being investigated with the former management of the Company. 

"Pension amounts deducted from staff should be paid to that staff members’ pension. 

"The liquidator and her team are working hard to have all the missing payments paid to staff member’s pensions scheme. 

"This is likely to take a few months to effect as each employee will have to be dealt with separately.

"The Liquidator will continue to investigate why and how this has happened and take action accordingly.

"As a result no employee should be affected when they claim their pension. 

"We encourage all former staff members to write to info@parkergetty.co.uk with your query along with any additional matters you believe should be bought to the liquidator’s attention."

Prested Hall have been contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of going to press.