February 6, 2001 12:35: THE mystery surrounding the sudden disappearance of a kitchen supply company has deepened with the news that it could owe up to £1m to former customers.

Accountancy company PricewaterhouseCoopers, wich was called in to administer the debts of Simply Kitchens, confirmed they are handling the affairs of 1,500 customers owed cash by company, which also calls itself United Kitchens.

After last weeks article in the News Shopper, in which an Orpington man told how he was owed £480 by the firm, five other people called the newsdesk angrily describing how they are owed thousands of pounds by the company at stores in Orpington and Catford.

This week, a PriceWaterhouseCoopers spokesman told the News Shopper that 124 stores nationwide were shut down by the firm which went into administration on December 22. She also revealed that 600 Simply Kitchens staff lost their jobs around the country when the cash- strapped company went bust.

The company also revealed that Yorkshire entrepreneur Malcolm Healey, who provided backing for the company when it was set up, now says he will alleviate any problems facing United Kitchens customers and employees.

But to the anger of customers, Simply Kitchens website still claims to be first for customer service, promising the fastest reacting professional back-up every step of the way.

Computer support worker Bill Banks, 30, from Oxhawth Crescent, Bromley, thought he got a bargain when he paid for a £1,400 kitchen that was worth £4,200. He paid by debit card but the next day, the company called and told him it needed a cheque because it had gone into liquidation.

He said: I agreed because they told me it would cost me £1,000 if I paid by cheque. The problem is, they cashed the cheque but didnt return the money from the debit card.

He added: Luckily, I cancelled the cheque but they still owe me the £140.

IT manager Steve McGuire, from Biggin Hill, forked out a £1,000 deposit for a £5,500 kitchen he bought at the Catford branch of the company.

He said: Its absolutely disgusting what happened. They told me they wanted a 20 per cent deposit which they were quite happy to take.

The next thing I knew I was reading a letter from PriceWaterhouseCoopers telling me that the company had gone into administrative receivership.

Catford caterer Christine Moody, who lost a £2,000 deposit, said: The whole experience was devasting, we are deeply in debtthey never even apologised to us.