Wirral Council has suspended Mackie Memorials from operating in council cemeteries following complaints, with Merseyside Police also investigating the firm. The company, which specialises in bespoke memorials and headstones, has been barred from all council-run burial grounds.
The council is urging customers who have concerns about the service they received to report the matter to police and other official channels. A council spokesperson confirmed the suspension and said it is considering longer-term exclusion from the Memorial Mason Registration Scheme.
Mackie Memorials, previously based in Birkenhead and Liscard, took its name from the long-standing E.F. Mackie Limited. Thomas Smith took over the business in 2023, stating he understood the importance of maintaining its reputation. However, Companies House records show the company's accounts and confirmation statement are overdue, and a strike-off application was lodged in March before being suspended.
Merseyside Police confirmed it is working with the council and reviewing intelligence to determine whether enforcement action can be taken. Residents are encouraged to report experiences via Citizens Advice, Report Fraud, or directly to the police.
