Businesses have been left in financial limbo because Clearwater Hydrotherapy has yet to clarify its future after closing its doors.
Criticism of the business has grown after a statement released by the managers, Leanne and Chris Morris, indicated customers left out of pocket and staff with outstanding wages may never be paid.
New accusations have suggested there were problems with the business before it folded. Several tradespeople have accused the firm of not paying for work, with many claiming to have action pending in the small claims court when the business folded.
Former lifeguard at the centre, Mark Boggan, said he is still chasing payment despite leaving the company last May.
He said: “I often had to wait for my pay and did not always receive the amount I was owed in the six months I worked there.”
“When I left, the company refused to pay me my final wage and the holiday pay I was entitled to,” he added.
“They also refused to give me a P45 which made me phone Inland Revenue to query my tax payments.
“These had not all been paid and when I asked I was told it was because they had changed their accountant and that they would sort it and pay me at the end of the month. I was never paid.”
Mr Boggan took the company to a tribunal to collect money owed to him, but the company did not attend.
Clearwater was given six weeks to pay before a warrant was issued by the sheriff.
Mark said: “This warrant was submitted on March 31, the day Clearwater closed its doors.”
Customers also had complaints. Vicki Ransford purchased a 10-week block of lessons for her 15-week old daughter.
Ms Ransford said: “I was charged £70 for one 30-minute lesson because the director at Clearwater didn’t deem my daughter’s illness to be extreme, even though she was placed on oxygen after arriving at Ninewells.”
Stephanie Johnstone, a receptionist with the firm when it closed, said: “I find it no coincidence that it closed on the day they were due to pay their staff, and I feel really strongly that the customers who were still paying over the last few weeks have been duped out of their money. I sincerely hope they are held accountable for this.
“Letters came in from the courts, sheriff officers and the tax man, practically every week.
“As receptionist I dealt with phone calls on a daily basis from people looking for money from energy companies, advertising companies and tradesmen, among others. These were never dealt with, which meant I was continually having to dismiss these people.”
In a statement last week, owners Leanne and Chris Morris said: “The only option available to the couple was to close the premises with immediate effect as they could not continue to trade when there was uncertainty about the company’s future.”
Despite numerous requests for comment by phone and email, neither Leanne nor Chris Morris responded and there was no answer at their home on Wednesday.
As of Tuesday it appears their website and Facebook page had been closed down.