Published on 3 November 2025, the Insolvency Service confirmed that London-based Trident West Industries Ltd has been wound up by the High Court following complaints about cold-calling and doorstep sales that promised government refunds for solar equipment or maintenance plans. Investigators recorded 80 complaints made to Trading Standards and Action Fraud, found that more than £3.1 million passed through the two companies’ accounts between May 2023 and January 2025, and noted that only £7,010 was returned to nine complainants despite combined complaints and County Court judgments exceeding £413,000. The average complainant age was 76.
Trident West was wound up on Tuesday 28 October 2025. Connected company Star Solar Ltd entered voluntary liquidation in April 2025. The Official Receiver has been appointed liquidator and the Insolvency Service directs enquiries to its Public Interest Unit at piu.or@insolvency.gov.uk.
How the state intervenes in similar cases is straightforward. Under section 124A of the Insolvency Act 1986, the Secretary of State may petition the court to wind up a live company on public-interest grounds, typically after a confidential investigation by the Insolvency Service’s Company Investigations teams. Outcomes can include a winding-up order and, separately, director disqualification where misconduct is evidenced.
Many complaints in this case referenced cancellations that were made but never honoured. UK law gives consumers a minimum 14‑day cooling‑off right for distance and off‑premises contracts; the period runs from contract or delivery depending on the contract type. If the trader fails to give the required cancellation information, the right can extend by up to 12 months, and a clear statement sent within the period is sufficient to cancel.
Cold‑calling and doorstep sales are generally off‑premises contracts when an agreement is concluded in the customer’s home. A trader may start services within the 14‑day window only with the customer’s express request; even then, the customer can still cancel but may need to pay for work already performed. Marketing claims about grants or refunds do not limit these statutory protections.
County Court judgments are civil orders confirming that a debt is owed; they remain on the public register for six years and can affect access to credit. A CCJ may evidence non‑payment but does not guarantee recovery-especially if a company is later wound up. Once a winding‑up order is made, new or existing proceedings are stayed unless the court permits them, with creditors expected to pursue recovery through the liquidation instead.
Reporting routes are established. Action Fraud, run by City of London Police, is the UK’s national centre for reporting fraud and cyber crime, accessible online or via 0300 123 2040. Concerns about a trader’s practices should also be raised with the Citizens Advice consumer service, which will refer cases to local Trading Standards for assessment and possible enforcement.
Households that paid by card have additional remedies alongside statutory cancellation rights. For credit cards, Section 75 can make the card issuer jointly liable for misrepresentation or breach of contract where the cash price is between £100 and £30,000; unresolved refusals can be taken to the Financial Ombudsman. For debit cards, chargeback scheme rules allow banks to attempt to reverse transactions-typically within about 120 days-even though this is not a legal right.
Investigators also reported missed statutory filings and unexplained payments exceeding £1 million, while the common director said he did not control the bank accounts. Companies House guidance is clear that every company must file annual accounts and a yearly confirmation statement; not doing so is a criminal offence that can result in fines and striking off.
For creditors, the next step is to ensure the Official Receiver has your details so you receive the statutory report. If there are realisable assets, you may be asked to submit a proof of debt; creditors who have not been contacted should proactively email the Public Interest Unit with their information. Initial reports to creditors usually follow within up to 12 weeks.
Public‑interest winding‑up is used sparingly and is resource‑intensive. The Insolvency Service notes that there are usually fewer than 100 such orders each year; fee regulations were updated from January 2025 to reflect the complexity of these investigations and liquidations.
The policy takeaway is clear. Civil consumer protections and the Insolvency Service’s public‑interest powers work in tandem: cancel in writing within the cooling‑off period, report suspected fraud promptly through the national channels, and consider Section 75 or chargeback where eligible while registering any claim in the liquidation.