Pimlico Plumbers

Pimlico Plumbers is a London-based plumbing firm established in 1979.[1] With revenues of £20m as of 2015, it is London's largest independent plumbing company.[3]

Pimlico Plumbers
TypeDomestic service provider
IndustryPlumbing, electrical wiring, heating, roofing
Founded1979 (1979)[1]
HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
Key people
Charlie Mullins
Revenue£20.0m (2015)[2]
Number of employees
~350
Websitewww.pimlicoplumbers.com
A Pimlico Plumbers van

Establishment

Pimlico Plumbers was established in 1979 by its current managing director Charlie Mullins (born December 1952),[4] who left school at 15 with no qualifications and began work as a plumber.[5]

Publicity

It is known for its effective publicity, handled by Recognition PR and PHA. It was previously handled by Max Clifford.[6] 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.[5][7] It gained considerable publicity through its employment of Buster Martin, who claimed to be Britain's oldest worker, cleaning vans part-time until his death in 2011.[8] The firm's boss presented BBC Three show Britain's Best Young Plumber[9] and has appeared on Secret Millionaire.[10]

The company promotes itself as providing a high-quality service, charging £80–200/hour depending on time of day and service performed.[11]

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. Services Corps collapsed in January 2010 with debts of £100,000 before the case was settled.[12]

The company also had a dispute with rival firm Aspect over Trustpilot ratings.[13]

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.[14][15][16] The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom subsequently granted Pimlico permission to appeal[17] which, following a hearing on 20 and 21 February 2018, was unanimously dismissed.[18]

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.[19] This was organised along with Wickes, A4e, and the Co-Sponsorship Agency.

In 2018, the company was criticised for erecting a large "Bollocks to Brexit" sign on top of their premises in Waterloo. Mullins defended the use of the sign, referring to the Sex Pistols' 1977 album Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols as precedent for being able to legally display the word in public.[20]

Financials

In November 2010, Mullins reported that he was considering floating the firm, with a £50m valuation, in order to fund a nationwide expansion.[21] 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. Wall, Emma (28 May 2013). "Charlie Mullins: How I made my first million". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  2. "Login". Business.timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-07-17. (subscription required)
  3. Stuart, Derrick. "Christmas is back in business." Conference and Incentive Travel. June 2011. 26. ABI/Inform Complete. Web. 11 Jul. 2011
  4. "Charles MULLINS – Personal Appointments (free information from Companies House)".
  5. Andrew Clark and Richard Fletcher. "Business | The Times". Business.timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  6. "Pimlico Plumbers founder Charlie Mullins on the importance of PR and marketing – Startups.co.uk: Starting a business advice and business ideas".
  7. "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.
  8. "Buster Martin: Book of Condolences :: Pimlico Plumbers". About-us.pimlicoplumbers.com. Archived from the original on 2011-04-23. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  9. "Britain's Best Young Plumber boss throws kitchen sink at The Apprentice". The Guardian. 1 December 2010. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  10. (archived link, July 15, 2014)
  11. "Charges". Pimlico Plumbers. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  12. Moore, Matthew (2010-01-11). "Plumbing firm accused of stealing celebrity clients from rival goes out of business". Telegraph. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
  13. "Pimlico Plumbers plunges into legal action against rival".
  14. Ritvik Carvalho (10 February 2017). "UK court backs plumber in new challenge to 'gig' economy". Reuters. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  15. Kevin Peachey (10 February 2017). "Plumber wins workers' rights battle against Pimlico Plumbers". BBC News. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  16. 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.
  17. Court, The Supreme. "Permission to appeal decision in Pimlico Plumbers Ltd and another (Appellants) v Smith (Respondent) – The Supreme Court". www.supremecourt.uk.
  18. Court, The Supreme. "Judgment in Pimlico Plumbers Ltd and another (Appellants) v Smith (Respondent) – The Supreme Court". www.supremecourt.uk.
  19. Archived April 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  20. "Millionaire refuses to take down 'Bollocks to Brexit' poster". The Guardian. 5 October 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  21. "Charlie Mullins on Pimlico Plumbers float". Real Business. 2010-11-08. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
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