Maintenance firm called Handymen refused business grant by council because of gender discrimination

A maintenance firm named Handymen has been refused a business grant on the grounds of gender discrimination.

Property maintenance firm Handymen has managed more than 2,000 properties since it was launched in 1987 and employs a number of women.

But Penarth Town Council said the company was ineligible for a business grant for £1,000 to help it through the lockdown. 

Owner James Squire-Wood, 23, said the only reason given for the failed application was on grounds of gender, which he believed was down to the company name. 

Property maintenance firm Handymen has managed more than 2,000 properties since it was launched in 1987 and employs a number of women

Two applications out of eight were denied by Penarth Town Council, which cited ‘gender discrimination’ for refusing the grant. 

Mr Squire-Wood believes councillors took the ‘politically correct view’ that the name was ‘dated’ and discriminated against women.

The 23-year-old said: ‘We’re not discriminating towards gender at all and that was never our intention.

‘Even by definition, the word ‘handyman’ refers to any person and has nothing to do with gender. It’s just a name.

‘They must have some sort of grounds for putting up this argument, but I want to hear it.

‘We have females who work for us in the company, so it just strikes me as someone attempting to be politically correct through interpreting this incorrectly.

‘I don’t agree with [potentially] being denied this grant especially at the moment as it’s tough for small businesses.’

The company wanted to access the ‘Independent Traders Contribution Fund’, designed to help the high street recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two applications out of eight were denied by Penarth Town Council, which cited ‘gender discrimination’ for refusing the grant

Mr Squire-Wood said he will consider taking legal advice if their application is formally rejected on these grounds.

He added: ‘It is a shock as we have had a lack of contact from the council and when speaking to those that were assisting me with my application, this was never highlighted.

‘If they are to reject it, we’ll have to take it from there. We don’t have any reason to not be eligible for the grant, so if the only grounds is gender discrimination then we’re going to have to defend ourselves.’

He said the firm had a team of ‘reliable, trustworthy experts in every aspect of property maintenance, from plumbers to electricians, gardeners to cleaners.’

The only other application that was denied was from local artist Ivor Davies which was due to ‘failing to meet the criteria and incomplete application.’  

A spokesman for Penarth Town Council said: ‘The grant has a set of criteria through which are assessed by a Task and Finish group who the make recommendations to the Council for approval.

‘Sometimes businesses are asked for further information/clarification before their application is processed formally through the Council.

‘HandyMenUk have been asked for further information relating to the gender of their employees, once received the application will be further considered at the next Task and Finish Group meeting.’