'Bargains' shop owner in Skegness fined for selling counterfeit and "unsafe" designer goods - including Chanel, Versace and Dior
A Skegness shop owner has been fined after a Trading Standards inspection revealed “counterfeit and unsafe” goods were being sold.
Many of the counterfeit items - which bore trademarks from high-end designer labels including Versace, Chanel and Dior - were said to “pose a risk to customers”.
As a result, the company director and company have been fined nearly £150,000 for selling the goods.
A spokesperson for Lincolnshire County Council said: “Bargin Billies Limited T/A Home Style Outlet, traded out of three outlets in the Skegness area, the main premises being located at Burgh Road Trading Estate in Skegness.
“Inspections carried out by Lincolnshire Trading Standards supported by Lincolnshire Police in 2021, resulted in the seizure of 5,792 homeware items, ornaments, mat sets, rugs and lamps bearing various trademarks including Chanel, Versace, Louis Vuitton, Dior and many more. The lamps were tested and found to be electrically unsafe.
“The company director, Mr Martin Williams, 56 of St Huberts Drive in Skegness was prosecuted under the Trade Marks Act 1994. Following his sentencing in 2024, a benefit figure under the Proceeds of Crime Act was eventually agreed out of court of £70,000 and in addition, costs of £50,000.
“The limited company has now been sentenced to a fine of £27,000 at Lincoln Crown Court on 4 June 2026. This included a 10% reduction for the guilty plea on the date of trial. Mr Williams had previously been sentenced to 10 months custody, suspended for 12 months as his role as Director of the company. The court granted forfeiture and destruction of all the seized goods.”
Daniel Brown, from Lincolnshire Trading Standards, commented: “Our inspections were carried out on the back of intelligence from the public about these shops, where items were for sale that were clearly counterfeit. Our testing then also found many electrical items did not meet safety standards and posed a risk to consumers. The resulting financial penalties are significant and should act as a warning to other businesses.”
Alex McGonigle, executive councillor for Trading Standards, added: “Lincolnshire consumers deserve better than this. We know the vast majority of businesses follow the rules and regulations, and want to trade in safe and legitimate products.
"It’s important that we take action against those who don’t. We are intending to use some of the money clawed back under the Proceeds of Crime Act to recruit and train financial intelligence staff so we can do more of this work and reduce this type of crime in Lincolnshire.”