{"id":810237,"date":"2026-03-07T14:21:17","date_gmt":"2026-03-07T14:21:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/810237\/"},"modified":"2026-03-07T14:21:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T14:21:17","slug":"wirral-boss-responds-after-council-told-people-to-go-to-police","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/810237\/","title":{"rendered":"Wirral boss responds after council told people to go to police"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The boss of a Wirral memorial business strongly denies accusations he has taken hundreds of pounds off customers and not followed through with the work they had paid for. Thomas Smith said: \u201cI am not taking deposits off people and jetting off into the sunset.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Mackie Memorials is a business operating on the <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/wirral\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Wirral<\/a> providing custom memorials and headstones for its customers. The firm had a base in <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/birkenhead\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Birkenhead<\/a> and its Liscard branch has closed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/wirral-council\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Wirral Council<\/a> is now <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/news\/liverpool-news\/wirral-headstone-makers-banned-cemeteries-33527867\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">urging people to report the company<\/a> to the police following complaints received by the local authority\u2019s cemetery service. A spokesperson said it has suspended the company from operating in council cemeteries and Merseyside Police has also confirmed to <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">the ECHO<\/a> it is <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/news\/liverpool-news\/wirral-headstone-makers-banned-cemeteries-33527867\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">working with the local authority.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Mr Smith has been accused by multiple people of not delivering on orders after people paid him hundreds of pounds. People have also told <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">the ECHO<\/a> he owes thousands of pounds to Wirral Council and his landlord Birkenhead Commercial Limited said he has been evicted from <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/news\/liverpool-news\/wirral-headstone-makers-banned-cemeteries-33527867\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">the company\u2019s base on Cleveland Street due to non-payment of rent.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Speaking to<a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\"> the ECHO<\/a>, Mr Smith strongly denies the accusations against him. He said: \u201cThe business has gone into difficulties but I am still actively working. I am still actively trying to resolve these issues.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He added: \u201cIf they were wanting the stone, it\u2019s either in the process of being made, it\u2019s with our stockists or suppliers, or it has been held up by the situation with the council.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cI am actively trying to resolve this. I am not taking deposits off people and jetting off into the sunset. I am not a piece of s**t. I am trying to do this to fix this problem. It\u2019s our permits from Wirral Council.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He claimed he was suspended by the council due to missing a single payment over the phone on December 23.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"People are being urged to collect memorials\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0_Mackie-Memorials.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"People are being urged to collect memorials\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">People are being urged to collect memorials(Image: Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">An appeal has now gone out to people to come and collect their headstones from the Cleveland Street site which is accessible to the public. <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">The ECHO<\/a> was told 11 people collected stones on March 4.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A representative of Mr Smith\u2019s former landlord Birkenhead Commercial Limited told <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">the ECHO:<\/a> \u201cWe just want everyone to come and get them. We would like to see them get to the right places. We are keen to see that because we need to repatriate them all.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Mackie Memorials took on the name \u201cMackie\u201d from long-standing Wirral business E.F. Mackie Limited which was based on Rake Lane in <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/wallasey\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Wallasey<\/a>. Thomas Smith set up the business in 2023 working out of the former shop on Liscard Way.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">According to Companies House, Mackie Memorials Limited\u2019s accounts and confirmation statement are overdue. An application was made to strike off the company on March 3.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">One day later, this action was temporarily suspended \u201cas an objection to the striking off has been received by the Registrar\u201d.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Mr Smith's former landlord said they wanted everyone to come and get their family gravestones\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1772893277_680_0_Mackie-Memorials.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Mr Smith's former landlord said they wanted everyone to come and get their family gravestones\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Mr Smith&#8217;s former landlord said they wanted everyone to come and get their family gravestones(Image: Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A Wirral Council spokesperson previously said: \u201cAs a result of ongoing concerns over Mackie Memorials, Wirral Council has suspended the company from operating in council cemeteries and is considering its longer-term exclusion from the <a aria-label=\"Memorial Mason Registration SchemeLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wirral.gov.uk\/burials-and-cremations\/memorials\/memorial-mason-registration-scheme\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Memorial Mason Registration Scheme<\/a> due to its conduct.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cIf residents have concerns over the service they have received from Mackie Memorials they are encouraged to report the matter through official channels \u2013 <a aria-label=\"Citizens Advice Consumer ServiceLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensadvice.org.uk\/consumer\/get-more-help\/if-you-need-more-help-about-a-consumer-issue\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Citizens Advice Consumer Service<\/a>, <a aria-label=\"Report FraudLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reportfraud.police.u\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Report Fraud<\/a> \u2013 the UK\u2019s national service for reporting cybercrime and fraud and <a aria-label=\"Merseyside PoliceLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.merseyside.police.uk\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Merseyside Police<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">If anyone is affected by the issues raised in this article, please contact edward.barnes@reachplc.com. Wirral Council declined to comment on claims it is owed money by Mackie Memorials.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The boss of a Wirral memorial business strongly denies accusations he has taken hundreds of pounds off customers&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":810238,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[8815],"tags":[748,393,4884,50013,179,16,15,9313,21358],"class_list":["post-810237","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-liverpool","tag-britain","tag-england","tag-great-britain","tag-liscard","tag-liverpool","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-wirral-council","tag-wirral-council-leader"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/116188341111765285","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/810237","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=810237"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/810237\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/810238"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=810237"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=810237"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=810237"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}