Pimlico Plumbers
Domestic service provider | |
Industry | Plumbing, electrical wiring, heating, roofing |
Founded | 1979 |
Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
Key people | Charlie Mullins |
Revenue | £20.0m[1] |
Number of employees | 227+ |
Website | www.pimlicoplumbers.com |
Pimlico Plumbers is London's largest independent plumbing company.[2]
Establishment
It was established in 1979 by its current managing director Charlie Mullins (born December 1952),[3] who left school at 15 with no qualifications and began work as a plumber.[4]
Pricing
Pimlico Plumbers are positioned at the premium end of the market and prices vary depending on trade and time.[5] There are 7 different price bands throughout the week covering peak and off peak. The cheapest hourly rate is £114, rising to £300.[5] Plumbing services range from £144 to £240.[5]
Publicity
It is known for its effective publicity, handled by Recognition PR and PHA. It was previously handled by Max Clifford.[6] The company owns more than 100 plumbing-related number plates, fitted to its fleet of vehicles, such as LO 02 OLD (Loo too old), BOG1, DRA1N, W4TER and others.[4][7] It gained considerable publicity through its employment of Buster Martin, who claimed to be Britain's oldest worker, cleaning vans part-time up until his death in 2011.[8] The firm's boss presented BBC3 show 'Britain's Best Young Plumber'[9] and has appeared on Secret Millionaire.[10]
The company promotes itself as providing a high-quality service, employing "£80,000/year plumbers",[11] charging £80–200/hour depending on time of day and service performed.[12]
Legal issues
In 2009, the firm was involved in a legal dispute with Steve Cosser, an Australian TV executive accused of industrial espionage in stealing Pimlico's client list after establishing a rival firm, Service Corps, using ex-Pimlico staff.[13] Services Corps collapsed in January 2010 with debts of £100,000 before the case was settled.[14]
The company also had a dispute with rival firm Aspect over Trustpilot ratings.[15]
In February 2016, it was reported that Pimlico Plumbers avoids paying PAYE income tax and National Insurance by hiring its 200 engineers as "self-employed contractors".[16]
On 10 February 2017, in the Court of Appeal a plumber was found to have "worker" status for the purposes of various employment protection rights notwithstanding that he had been engaged as a self-employed individual. Pimlico Plumbers argued the plumber was an independent contractor but the Court of Appeal determined he was a worker with some employment rights.[17][18][19] The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom subsequently granted Pimlico permission to appeal.[20]
Community involvement and party political funding
The firm has also recently been involved in a scheme in aid of the big society with the renovation of the Streatham Youth Centre.[21] This was organised along with Wickes, A4e, and the Co-Sponsorship Agency.
In February 2016, it was reported that in the previous year Pimlico Plumbers made two donations to the Conservative Party totalling £22,735.[16]
Financials
In November 2010, Mullins reported that he was considering floating the firm, with a £50m valuation, in order to fund a nationwide expansion.[22] The firm turned over £18.2 million in 2013, with profits of more than £1,000,000. Mullins received £1.3 million in compensation in 2009.[1]
References
- 1 2 "Login". Business.timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-07-17. (subscription required)
- ↑ Stuart, Derrick. "Christmas is back in business." Conference and Incentive Travel. June 2011. 26. ABI/Inform Complete. Web. 11 Jul. 2011
- ↑ "Charles MULLINS - Personal Appointments (free information from Companies House)".
- 1 2 Andrew Clark and Richard Fletcher. "Business | The Times". Business.timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
- 1 2 3 "Charges :: Pimlico Plumbers".
- ↑ "Pimlico Plumbers founder Charlie Mullins on the importance of PR and marketing - Startups.co.uk: Starting a business advice and business ideas".
- ↑ "Corporate Identity: Number Plates :: Pimlico Plumbers". About-us.pimlicoplumbers.com. 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
- ↑ "Buster Martin: Book of Condolences :: Pimlico Plumbers". About-us.pimlicoplumbers.com. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
- ↑ "Britain's Best Young Plumber boss throws kitchen sink at The Apprentice | Media Monkey | Media". The Guardian. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
- ↑ (archived link, July 15, 2014)
- ↑ Appleyard, Diana (2010-10-21). "How much do these women earn? From lawyer to DJ, salary guessing is harder than you think | Daily Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
- ↑ "Charges". Pimlico Plumbers. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
- ↑ Fernandez, Colin (2009-11-04). "Plumbing firm takes rival to court 'for stealing celebrity clients' | Daily Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
- ↑ Moore, Matthew (2010-01-11). "Plumbing firm accused of stealing celebrity clients from rival goes out of business". Telegraph. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
- ↑ "Pimlico Plumbers plunges into legal action against rival".
- 1 2 "Tory plumbing boss hires 'self-employed contractors' to avoid PAYE".
- ↑ Ritvik Carvalho (10 February 2017). "UK court backs plumber in new challenge to 'gig' economy". Reuters. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
- ↑ Kevin Peachey (10 February 2017). "Plumber wins workers' rights battle against Pimlico Plumbers". BBC News. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
- ↑ Pimlico Plumbers v Smith (PDF) (Report). Court of Appeal (Civil Division). 10 February 2017. Case No: A2/2015/0196 Citation: [2017] EWCA Civ 51. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
- ↑ https://www.supremecourt.uk/news/permission-to-appeal-decision-in-pimlico-plumbers-ltd-and-another-v-smith.html
- ↑ Archived April 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "Charlie Mullins on Pimlico Plumbers float". Real Business. 2010-11-08. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
External links
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