Holiday company offices raided by trading standards

OFFICES in Exeter and Exmouth were among those raided as part of a Trading standards investigation into the selling of holiday schemes.

Officers yesterday searched seven addresses in Devon and Somerset, including the Holiday Presentation Centre, in Matford Court, Exeter.

When potential clients arrived at the building in Sigford Road, on Marsh Barton, expecting to attend talks about overseas holiday offers, they found a hand-written notice on the doors telling them that all yesterday's presentations were cancelled.

Some of those turned away are understood to have travelled lengthy distances to get there.

Police were sent to guard against any potential disorder, while curious workers in neighbouring offices wondered what was going on.

No one from any company operating from the Holiday Presentation Centre was on site when the Echo visited.

Inside the building, trading standards officers were bagging up and tagging holiday brochures and other documents to be taken away.

Officials were tight-lipped about the nature of the probe because their inquiries are ongoing, and refused to identify the company or companies being investigated.

Peter Greene, fair trading manager for Devon County Council, said: "Devon Trading Standards officers have today exercised entry warrants at seven addresses in Exeter, Exmouth and Somerset and seized an amount of material.

"The investigation is into alleged breaches of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations and the sale of holiday ownership schemes. Inquiries are ongoing."

A police spokesman said: "In situations where there is likely to be a breach of the peace, we would accompany Trading Standards officers due to the fact that people might get angry.

"We are trained to deal with angry people, so we attend to prevent a breach of the peace."

Mr Greene advised any consumers with a problem concerning a holiday ownership scheme to contact Consumer Direct for advice in the first instance on 08454 040506.

He added: "If it is a matter Trading Standards needs to be aware of, they will refer the matter to us for investigation."

Have you bought a timeshare at the Holiday Presentation Centre? If so, please contact the Echo on 01392 442228.