ROGUE holiday property company, the Holiday Barn Activity Program is in the process of being struck off by Companies House and dissolved.

The company has failed to file its annual returns and accounts with Companies House and an intention to dissolve has therefore been published in the London Gazette. Companies House expects the firm to be officially dissolved in early October unless there are any objections to the intended course of action.

Once the firm is dissolved, it obviously ceases to exist and so cannot be sued, a Companies House spokesman said.

This week tourist information centres around Craven were contacted by anxious would-be holidaymakers who have paid for stays in the company's properties, have had their cheques cashed and have since received letters telling them not to come, or have heard nothing.

These have included groups of mentally ill people and their carers, some who have paid up to £2,400 for holidays in the Dales which it now looks like they have lost.

Maureen Pearce, of Skipton Tourist Information Centre, said she had dealt with lots of dissatisfied Holiday Barn customers.

"I always offer to try and find them alternative accommodation, and the other self catering people locally always try their very, very best to accommodate them because they also are aware of the Holiday Barn Program and feel in some way that they have to compensate.

"We are all trying together to help the visitors who are taken in.

"I am concerned for the visitors, and I am concerned about the effect it has on this area. It is damaging for the whole area.

"We have a great many people who provide good value wonderful accommodation, and this Holiday Barn business is only going to be harmful to us."

The Herald reported a few weeks ago that Craven District Council's environmental health department has served prohibition notices on two barns at Studfold, Horton-in Ribblesdale, because of hazardous electrics and dangerous structural faults.

The Marsden Building Society also confirmed it was taking legal action over a number of properties, and North Yorkshire Trading Standards department has sent a file to the Office of Fair Trading concerning the Holiday Barn Activity Program, which is run by Stuart Hartley, who is believed to live in France.

ROVERSIAL holiday property company, the Holiday Barn Activity Program, is in the process of being struck off by Companies House and dissolved.

The company has failed to file its annual returns and accounts with Companies House and an intention to dissolve has therefore been published in the London Gazette. Companies House expects the firm to be officially dissolved in early October - unless there are any objections.

Maureen Pearce, of Skipton Tourist Information Centre, said she had dealt with many dissatisfied Holiday Barn customers.

"I always offer to try and find them alternative accommodation, and the other self catering people locally always try their very, very best to accommodate them because they also are aware of the Holiday Barn Program and feel in some way that they have to compensate

"I am concerned for the visitors, and I am concerned about the effect it has on this area. It is damaging for the whole area. We have a great many people who provide good value wonderful accommodation, and this Holiday Barn business is only going to be harmful to us."

Last month Craven District Council's environmental health department served prohibition notices on two barns at Studfold, near Horton-in-Ribblesdale because of hazardous electrics and dangerous structural faults.

The Marsden Building Society also confirmed it was taking legal action over a number of properties, and North Yorkshire Trading Standards department has sent a file to the Office of Fair Trading concerning the Holiday Barn Activity Program, which is run by Stuart Hartley, who is believed to live in France.

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