Thirty jobs have gone and thousands of customers been left out of pocket after Scottish Slimmers went out of business.
The firm, which ran 140 weight-loss classes across Scotland, announced today it had ceased trading and would not offer refunds.
Slimmers on social media claimed they had tried in vain by phone to get a refund for advance payments after their classes were cancelled.
Until yesterday, the organisation was still posting inspirational messages on its Twitter page. The food brand which uses its name is unaffected.
In a statement, the company said: "Scottish Slimmers (2009) Ltd has ceased trading with effect from midnight on Friday March 29 2019.
“A directors’ petition to appoint a liquidator, with a view to appointing Blair Milne, restructuring partner based in Campbell Dallas’ Glasgow office, was lodged today (Monday April 1 2019).
“Thirty members of staff, including those in headquarters and coaches across the class network, are affected by this.
“Scottish Slimmers (2009) Ltd ran the network of 140 Scottish Slimmers classes across Scotland. All Scottish Slimmers classes have now been suspended, and refunds on membership passes cannot be provided.
“However, all existing members affected by this action will be given free access to the Scottish Slimmers online service and digital service which are run by companies unaffected by the liquidation. Members can request access to the online service by hello@uk-slimmers.co.uk.”
Chief executive Amanda Boyle said a social enterprise company would attempt to continue the slimming classes.
She said: “This has been an incredibly difficult decision to make as I know how much the network of classes means to our members and how our community of members has valued the support of their class coaches in their healthy living and weight loss programmes.
“Many of our coaches have years of enthusiastic and loyal service and I understand that this decision is a very difficult one for them.”
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