A DEBT management firm lured to Taunton by £24,000 of taxpayers’ money has stopped operating after staff quit, complaining they weren’t paid.

Several workers are suffering financial hardship after repeated broken promises that wages would be paid into bank accounts.

Boss Chris Ward blames “cash-flow issues”, saying he plans to pay all 18 workers and salvage Advocate Consultancy Services, set up in Hammet Street, Taunton, in September.

Mr Ward, of Hatch Beauchamp, who previously ran the business in Birmingham, was enticed to Taunton by a £1,000 ‘sweetener’ from Taunton Deane Council for each job created.

Jason Harris, employed on £14,500 a year, said staff received pay slips at the end of October but no money went into their accounts.

“He (Mr Ward) made various promises and assurances, so we carried on,” said Mr Harris.

“But the next week there was still no money, just more excuses. That carried on until December, by when I was tired of it all.

“He started telling people not to come in, but there were still some people there until Christmas because they thought it would increase their chance of getting paid.

“We don’t understand how this guy got a grant from the council – it looks like he’s got away with £24,000 of public money.”

Warren Grimes, one of a few workers to actually get a month’s wages after continual demands to Mr Ward, said: “When we didn’t get paid at the end of October, Chris said it was a technical issue, then he told us he’d sorted it.

“After more promises, he had cheques for three people, but two were cancelled.

“I didn’t get paid at the end of November. As I’m an unpaid carer for my mum, I had to borrow money.

“I couldn’t afford Christmas presents and had to go to the Foodbank because I was cold and hungry.”

Cameron Salter said: “I was supposed to get paid at the end of October, but there was nothing.

“We kept getting promises tomorrow, then tomorrow, then next week.

“I owe some people money, but can’t repay them.”

Mr Ward told the County Gazette the business suffered “major cash-flow issues” as phone systems weren’t installed on time.

He said: “I’m trying to sort out the problems to get back up and running again by mid-February.

“The staff will be paid as soon as we get back into positive cash-flow.

“We didn’t have any internet lines until the end of November, so we couldn’t operate and do the business we needed to do to cover costs. We ran out of cash.

“I put £20,000 of my own money into it.”

Mr Ward said presently “nothing is happening” in the business and acknowledged his failure to pay wages led to a loss of trust.

“I met with Taunton Deane Council last week. They accept the situation,” said Mr Ward.

“We have to re-recruit to cover 24 positions.

“It’s a very unfortunate situation. I’ve put lots of time and effort into this – it hasn’t worked out so far, but that’s not to say it isn’t salvageable.”

Taunton Deane Council declined to comment.