THE boss of a kitchen company now banned from being a director is still being accused of taking customers’ cash but not providing their kitchens.

Clive Smith, also known as Clifford Smith, failed to attend court when the order was made banning him from managing or in any way controlling a company or being a company director until 2019.

But the punishment is unlikely to come as any consolation to the many customers who have lost money through his companies.

Alan Johnson, of Oakwood Drive, Barnehurst, is one of the latest in a long line of angry customers left in the lurch by one of Mr Smith’s companies.

He ordered a £4,800 kitchen from Mr Smith last November, paying a deposit and handing over a substantial portion of the cost in January.

Since then, Mr Johnson claims Mr Smith has come up with a series of excuses, but still no sign of his kitchen.

Last July, Mr Smith told News Shopper he had sold his shop and was no longer trading.

His ban follows a 12-month investigation into his conduct while a director of Wentwurth of Bexleyheath Ltd by the Insolvency Service with help from Bexley trading standards.

This company, based in Midfield Parade, Mayplace Road East, Barnehurst, supplied and installed kitchens and bedrooms.

The court heard despite knowing his company was technically insolvent, Mr Smith continued to take deposits from customers.

He then failed to provide them with their goods, while leaving other customers with unfinished work.

Because he did not keep proper accounting records, it has been impossible to trace what happened to the deposits.

Mr Smith was also penalised because the name of his company was very similar to his previous insolvent company Wentworth (Sevenoaks) Ltd which went into compulsory liquidation in 2006.

This means Mr Smith could be held personally liable for the debts of Wentwurth of Bexleyheath Ltd.

However the Official Receiver has decided not to take legal action to recover the debts from Mr Smith, as there were no funds in the liquidation.

But that does not prevent the company’s creditors from taking action against him.

Last year, News Shopper highlighted the activities of Mr Smith when he was trading from the same premises, but under the name Newdoor K&B Ltd, previously Wentwurth (K&B) Ltd.

He currently also has two at least other companies registered with Companies House - New Doors Kitchens and Bedrooms Ltd and Kenewdor Ltd.

A whole string of former customers claim to have paid Mr Smith thousands of pounds for kitchens which were left unfinished and kitchen appliances which never materialised.

One of them, John Croucher, aged 50, of Hamilton Road, Bexleyheath, dismissed the punishment.

He says he is still owed £3,000 by Mr Smith for appliances which Mr Smith claimed were stolen, and claims Mr Smith is still at the Barnehurst shop, currently called Kitchens & Bedrooms.

Mr Croucher said: “I find it astonishing the state allows him to continue to be in the premises and is not stopping him from taking people’s money.”

A spokesman for Bexley's trading standards said: "We are continuing to work with partner enforcement agencies and will be monitoring the situation very closely through Consumer Direct.

"Receiving money for services or goods which are not delivered or are faulty is a civil matter."

He advised people to call Consumer Direct on 0845 040506 or visit its website consumerdirect.gov.uk for advice.

When News Shopper called Mr Smith at his Barnehurst shop, he claimed he was dealing with a customer and promised to speak to us in an hour.

But then his phone mysteriously became permanently engaged.

Are you a dissatisfied customer of Mr Smith’s? Call us on 01689 885723.