Pimlico Plumbers

Pimlico Plumbers
Domestic service provider
Industry Plumbing, electrical wiring, heating, roofing
Founded 1979 (1979)[1]
Headquarters London, United Kingdom
Key people
 Charlie Mullins
Revenue £20.0m[2]
Number of employees
 ~350[3]
Website www.pimlicoplumbers.com
A Pimlico Plumbers van

Pimlico Plumbers is a London-based plumbing firm established in 1979.[1] With revenues of £20m, it is London's largest independent plumbing company.[4]

Establishment

It was established in 1979 by its current managing director Charlie Mullins (born December 1952),[5] who left school at 15 with no qualifications and began work as a plumber.[6]

Pricing

Pimlico Plumbers are positioned at the premium end of the market and prices vary depending on trade and time.[7] There are 7 different price bands throughout the week covering peak and off peak. The cheapest hourly rate is £108, rising to £300.[7] Plumbing services range from £144 to £240.[7]

Publicity

It is known for its effective publicity, handled by Recognition PR and PHA. It was previously handled by Max Clifford.[8] 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.[6][9] 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.[10] The firm's boss presented BBC3 show Britain's Best Young Plumber[11] and has appeared on Secret Millionaire.[12]

The company promotes itself as providing a high-quality service, employing "£80,000/year plumbers",[13] charging £80–200/hour depending on time of day and service performed.[14]

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.[15] Services Corps collapsed in January 2010 with debts of £100,000 before the case was settled.[16]

The company also had a dispute with rival firm Aspect over Trustpilot ratings.[17]

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".[18]

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.[19][20][21] The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom subsequently granted Pimlico permission to appeal[22] which, following a hearing on 20 and 21 February 2018, was unanimously dismissed.[23]

Community involvement and party political funding

The firm has been involved in a scheme in aid of the big society with the renovation of the Streatham Youth Centre.[24] 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.[18]

Financials

In November 2010, Mullins reported that he was considering floating the firm, with a £50m valuation, in order to fund a nationwide expansion.[25] 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.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 Wall, Emma (28 May 2013). "Charlie Mullins: How I made my first million". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Login". Business.timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-07-17. (subscription required)
  3. ↑ "BBC apologise after Pimlico Plumbers boss calls Jeremy Corbyn a 't***' live on Radio 4". thesun.co.uk. 26 July 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  4. ↑ Stuart, Derrick. "Christmas is back in business." Conference and Incentive Travel. June 2011. 26. ABI/Inform Complete. Web. 11 Jul. 2011
  5. ↑ "Charles MULLINS - Personal Appointments (free information from Companies House)".
  6. 1 2 Andrew Clark and Richard Fletcher. "Business | The Times". Business.timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  7. 1 2 3 "Charges :: Pimlico Plumbers".
  8. ↑ "Pimlico Plumbers founder Charlie Mullins on the importance of PR and marketing - Startups.co.uk: Starting a business advice and business ideas".
  9. ↑ "Corporate Identity: Number Plates :: Pimlico Plumbers". About-us.pimlicoplumbers.com. 2013-10-17. Archived from the original on 2013-08-16. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  10. ↑ "Buster Martin: Book of Condolences :: Pimlico Plumbers". About-us.pimlicoplumbers.com. Archived from the original on 2011-04-23. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  11. ↑ "Britain's Best Young Plumber boss throws kitchen sink at The Apprentice | Media Monkey | Media". The Guardian. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  12. ↑ (archived link, July 15, 2014)
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ "Charges". Pimlico Plumbers. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  15. ↑ 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.
  16. ↑ Moore, Matthew (2010-01-11). "Plumbing firm accused of stealing celebrity clients from rival goes out of business". Telegraph. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  17. ↑ "Pimlico Plumbers plunges into legal action against rival".
  18. 1 2 "Tory plumbing boss hires 'self-employed contractors' to avoid PAYE".
  19. ↑ Ritvik Carvalho (10 February 2017). "UK court backs plumber in new challenge to 'gig' economy". Reuters. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  20. ↑ Kevin Peachey (10 February 2017). "Plumber wins workers' rights battle against Pimlico Plumbers". BBC News. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  21. ↑ 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.
  22. ↑ Court, The Supreme. "Permission to appeal decision in Pimlico Plumbers Ltd and another (Appellants) v Smith (Respondent) - The Supreme Court". www.supremecourt.uk.
  23. ↑ Court, The Supreme. "Judgment in Pimlico Plumbers Ltd and another (Appellants) v Smith (Respondent) - The Supreme Court". www.supremecourt.uk.
  24. ↑ Archived April 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  25. ↑ "Charlie Mullins on Pimlico Plumbers float". Real Business. 2010-11-08. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
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