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24

Jun 2021

Business
Business

Harrogate car wash owner: 'Don't tar us all with modern slavery brush'

Published: 24 Jun 2021, 06:05 BST

by Thomas Barrett

Comment

0

Mehmet Ula, who owns Woodlands Hand Car Wash and Valeting on Wetherby Road, says around three to five customers a day were asking if staff were being treated correctly or abused after another car wash owner was recently convicted of modern slavery crimes.

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The owner of a Harrogate car wash has said customers are questioning whether he is involved in modern slavery crimes, despite being unrelated to a recent court case.

Mehmet Ula, who owns Woodlands Hand Car Wash and Valeting on Wetherby Road, contacted the Stray Ferret to say around three to five customers a day were asking if staff were being treated correctly or abused.

It has happened since Defrim Paci, a 42-year-old married father-of-four, was one of two men convicted at Carlisle Crown Court for modern slavery crimes this month.

Paci is sole director of Harrogate Hand Carwash on Sykes Grove but the crimes were committed against workers at a Carlisle car wash. The Sykes Grove business was not implicated.

Mr Ula said:

"I'm in a difficult situation. I've lived in Harrogate for 18 years. We've got absolutely nothing to do with these people."
"Most of the lads I employ are local and we do everything properly."





Read more:



  • Call for modern slavery investigation into Harrogate car wash

  • Harrogate car wash owner found guilty of modern slavery





Mr Ula bought the business, which was previously called Bubble Run, two years ago.

He said he pays staff properly and modern slavery was an "outrageous" practice.

He added:

"People have a right to ask questions, they should, but this is affecting my business.
"We 100% disagree with what's happened.
"I hope they get the correct punishment. This is 2021 in England, modern slavery is not what we want."