A DEVIZES car wash had its power cut off by health and safety inspectors last week after they deemed the place unsafe.

Devizes Car Centre on New Park Street was closed this week for repairs after being visited last Friday, 7th July, by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Wiltshire Police’s Human Exploitation and Emerging Threats (HEET) team, which had concerns about working conditions at the business.

The HSE inspection revealed that the car wash was in breach of electricity regulations and employees were at risk of potentially fatal electric shocks, burns and fire.

A HEET team member said last week: “For the safety of the car wash workers and members of the public, the electricity supply will remain off until the required improvements have been made.

"We also had discussions with the workers on site who were found to be earning less than the minimum wage. We are liaising with HMRC's National Minimum Wage Team following the visit.”

The owner and manager of Devizes Car Centre said that they have this week been working hard to bring the site’s electrics up to scratch, and have argued that all their workers do earn the minimum wage.

Owner Gent Jakupi lives in Devizes and has run the car wash for about 10 years.

Gent said: “Everything here was new five years ago but wear and tear has caused some problems with the electrics. The inspectors found broken plug sockets and there was no cover on the fuse box but we have electricians in this week to fix everything; we expect to reopen this weekend or next week.”

New manager of the car centre, Rob Gerrish added: “We could have kept the place running on generators but we thought it was best for us and our customers to close for the week to get all the repairs done, do some maintenance work and give the place a lick of paint.

“We’re working closely with the HSE and sending them regular reports – they have been amicable about it.”

The pair dispute the HEET team’s findings about workers’ pay and say all five staff members are earning at least minimum wage and are paid through PAYE.

“This has caused me stress,” Gent said. “I think they assume we don’t pay properly because it is a car wash run by immigrants, but there is no problem with how my workers are treated. The fact we’re not English means we get more attention than a pub or a big business.

“We provide a good service for the people of Devizes and we have lots of happy returning customers.

“The inspectors spoke to me in a different tone than they did to Rob, and I do think I’m being scrutinised more than I would be if we were all from England.”