Roadtrain in dispute
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by Derren Hayes • LGV driver training school Roadtrain is at the centre of a legal dispute with a former franchise holder who went into liquidation owing thousands of pounds to prospective drivers.
Keith Gilbody had been a Roadtrain franchisee in Rugby for nearly two years before going into voluntary liquidation on 24 November 1995 with debts of £17,000. Only months before he had run an extensive advertising campaign to get prospective LGV licence holders to pay over £450 for a five-day course and test.
Gilbody received thousands of pounds in advance payments: he went out of business owing more than 30 would-be truck drivers a total £5,500 for courses and tests that were not taken.
Northampton-based Lynx employee Chris Lomas signed up with Gilbody in August and paid the money before sitting the course in October. After completing four out of the five days Gilbody told him there was a test backlog and he would have to wait a further month for his test.
He says: "Two weeks later I received a letter from Gilbody saying he had gone into liquidation because he was in dispute with Roadtrain. I am really disappointed because Lynx had been holding a driving job for me if I passed my test.
"It's not just cost me money and time," he adds, "but a job as well."
Roadtrain is now in dispute with Gilbody to try and retrieve some of the £10,000 he owes it. Roadtrain has reported him to the police who are carrying out an investigation.
Roadtrain Chairman Nick Smith says: "We have been badly ripped off ourselves and any money we are able to recover will be passed on to those he owes to. The Rugby business was running at a profit of £25,000 when he took over from another franchisee in January 1994."
As CM went to press Gilbody was unavailable for comment.