The latest developments from caravan manufacturers and dealers
Lunar boss faces fraud trial
Lunar was a hugely popular brand, but it was wound up in 2022
Former director denies defrauding employee pensions
A BUSINESSMAN WHO bought Lunar Caravans out of administration is to stand trial for alleged fraud committed against Lunar workers’ pensions and the pensions of people employed by a social enterprise that he also owned.
At a hearing at Southwark Crown Court on 8 May 2024, Nicholas Marks (56, of Heath Rd, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire) pleaded not guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of position in respect of employees at Lunar Automotive Ltd, and a further such count in respect of employees at Clarity Products, a social enterprise that employed blind and disabled people.
The case, which is being brought by The Pensions Regulator, will now go to trial, but not for another two years: Marks’s court date is set for 18 May 2026.
Marks bought the collapsed Lunar Caravans out of administration in August 2019 and renamed it Lunar Automotive.
However, Lunar Automotive was wound up in 2022 following a petition brought by Brian Mellor, one of the company’s creditors and the owner of the original Lunar Caravans.
LOSSES WIDEN AT ERWIN HYMER UK
Full-year losses have widened at Erwin Hymer UK, despite a significant growth in turnover, its latest full-year results reveal. In the year to the end of July 2023, the company made a pre-tax loss of £6.59m, up 39.4% from last year’s loss of £4.73m.
This is despite an increase in turnover from £95.24m to £106.41m – a rise of 11.7%.
The County Durham firm blames price freezes in 2022 and 2023 and supply chain price rises “exceeding 20%” for the increased losses.
But it now sees uncertainty around the economy, rather than supply chain issues which have since improved, as the main challenge. Nevertheless, it says it continues to have a strong order book, and believes performance will be enhanced this year.
IN BKJEF
Three arrested in caravan “fraud” probe
Police in North Yorkshire have arrested three people on suspicion of fraud and money laundering in connection with a “caravan business” based in the county.
Police arrested two men, aged 65 and 38, and a 62-year-old woman. All have since been released but remain under investigation.
The force said the arrests were part of a “complex investigation into th
