B & S Bailiff Services isn’t a small local bailiff firm. They’re a venture capital-backed enforcement agency embedded in the Welsh public sector, managing millions in council tax and parking collections across South Wales councils.
Quick answers#
Can B & S force entry to my home? No—not for council tax or parking fines. They need peaceful entry (an unlocked door or invitation). They cannot break in on a first visit for these debts. Exception: if you’ve signed a Controlled Goods Agreement and breached it, they can return with a locksmith.
Who owns B & S Bailiff Services? Mathern Limited owns 75%+ of the shares. Mathern sits in the investment portfolios of Mercia Asset Management and Shackleton Ventures (Northern VCTs). The current director is Deborah Hudson (M.Eng, MBA), who chairs Northern Venture Trust PLC.
Can an IVA stop B & S? Yes. Once your IVA is approved, B & S must stop all enforcement. The debt is managed by your Insolvency Practitioner.
Table of Contents#
- Who are B & S Bailiff Services?
- Who owns B & S? The venture capital connection
- Can B & S force entry to your home?
- B & S fees explained
- What can B & S take from your home?
- How to stop B & S
- How to complain about B & S
- Contact B & S
- FAQs
Who are B & S Bailiff Services?#
B & S Bailiff Services Limited (Company 04495084) was incorporated on July 25, 2002. They operate from 200 High Street, Blackwood, NP12 1BA.
Ownership transition: David Potter and Landon Arthur Stone were the original directors. Everything changed August 7, 2014, when Deborah Hudson was appointed. Hudson isn’t a traditional bailiff—she’s an investment professional (M.Eng, MBA) who co-founded Shackleton Ventures and chairs Northern Venture Trust PLC.
David Potter—the last remaining founder—was terminated September 25, 2024. B & S is now fully controlled by its parent company and VC backers.
Authorised by:
- Swansea Civil Justice Centre
- Cardiff Civil Justice Centre
- CIVEA member
Who owns B & S? The venture capital connection#
Parent company: Mathern Limited Company 09091748. Holds 75%+ of B & S shares. Notified as Person with Significant Control April 6, 2016.
The investment chain: B & S is held by Northern Venture Trust PLC, Northern 2 VCT PLC, and Northern 3 VCT PLC (managed by Mercia Fund Management), plus Shackleton Ventures. The aggregate proceeds of recent fund offers reached £50 million.
Why do venture capitalists invest in bailiff firms? Counter-cyclical cash flow. When the economy tanks, debt collection demand rises. Enforcement becomes MORE necessary during recessions. The UK’s household debt passed £2 trillion.
What this means for you: You’re dealing with an institutionally-backed enforcement agency with significant resources and professional management. They’re well-capitalised with VC backing, professionally managed, and optimised for collection efficiency.
Can B & S force entry to your home?#
No—not for council tax or parking fines on a first visit.
B & S follow the same rules as other enforcement agents. They need peaceful entry, which means you must invite them in voluntarily or leave a door unlocked.
What they CANNOT do:
- Break locks
- Smash windows
- Push past you
- Climb through open windows
The exception: If you’ve signed a Controlled Goods Agreement If you previously let an agent in and signed a CGA, and you’ve breached the payment terms, B & S can return with a locksmith and force entry.
Tactics B & S agents use:
- Early morning visits (7am-8am)
- “Can I come in to discuss your situation?”
- Unlocked doors—they can turn the handle and walk in
What you should do:
- Keep all doors and windows locked
- Speak through a closed door or window
- Do not invite them in
- Do not sign a Controlled Goods Agreement
B & S fees explained#
B & S charges statutory fees set by the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013.
| Stage | When Applied | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance Stage | Notice sent | £75 |
| Enforcement Stage | First agent visit | £235 + 7.5% over £1,500 |
| Sale Stage | Goods removed | £110 + 7.5% over £1,500 |
The fee incentive problem: B & S only earns the £235 enforcement fee if an agent physically visits. If you pay during the Compliance Stage (7 days), B & S only gets £75. Research shows 24% of debtors tried to arrange repayment by phone, but agents insisted on visiting anyway.
Additional charges:
- Vehicle towing and storage (often £150+ per day)
- Locksmith fees (only if legally entitled to force entry)
What can B & S take from your home?#
What they CAN take:
- Vehicles (major target)
- TVs and audio equipment
- Gaming consoles
- Laptops and tablets (unless essential for work)
- Jewellery
- Cash
What they CANNOT take:
- Essential household items (beds, table, chairs, one fridge, one cooker)
- Clothing
- Tools of the trade worth less than £1,350
- Items belonging to other people (need proof)
- Items on hire purchase or lease (provide evidence)
- Blue Badge vehicles
Vehicle clamping: B & S uses ANPR technology. If your car is on finance or lease, gather proof immediately: finance agreement, bank statements, letter from finance company. Email this to B & S and demand the clamp be removed.
How to stop B & S#
1. Pay during Compliance Stage If you can pay the debt + £75 within 7 days, do it. Get written confirmation enforcement has stopped.
2. Apply for Breathing Space 60-day legal freeze on enforcement. B & S must stop all activity. Apply through a debt advisor. Learn about Breathing Space
3. Enter an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) Once approved, B & S must stop all action. You make one affordable monthly payment. After 5-6 years, remaining debt is written off. Qualify with £5,000+ debt across multiple creditors. Check if you qualify
4. Contact the council directly Bypass B & S and write to your council’s Head of Revenues if you’re vulnerable. Include medical evidence. The council controls B & S.
5. Challenge the Notice of Enforcement If the Notice wasn’t properly served, you can challenge the fees. Apply to the court. Get advice from Citizens Advice.
How to complain about B & S#
Step 1: Complain to B & S directly Address: 200 High Street, Blackwood, NP12 1BA. Include date, time, agent’s name, what happened, which regulations were breached, what you want.
Step 2: Complain to your council B & S is the tool. The council is the client. Write to your council’s Head of Revenues and your local councillor. Use the venture capital angle: “B & S is VC-backed and optimised for investor returns, not social welfare.”
Step 3: Complain to CIVEA B & S is a CIVEA member. Visit civea.co.uk for the complaints form.
Step 4: Local Government Ombudsman If the council doesn’t respond, escalate to lgo.org.uk.
Contact B & S#
Registered Office: B & S Bailiff Services Ltd 200 High Street Blackwood NP12 1BA
Company Registration: 04495084 Director: Deborah Nichole Hudson Authorised by: Swansea and Cardiff Civil Justice Centres CIVEA Membership: Yes
FAQs#
Who owns B & S Bailiff Services?#
Mathern Limited (Company 09091748) owns 75%+ of B & S shares. Mathern sits in the portfolios of Mercia Asset Management and Shackleton Ventures (Northern VCTs). The director is Deborah Hudson, who chairs Northern Venture Trust PLC.
Can B & S bailiffs force entry for council tax?#
No. For council tax, B & S cannot force entry on a first visit. They need peaceful entry. Exception: if you’ve signed a Controlled Goods Agreement and defaulted, they can return with a locksmith.
Which councils use B & S?#
Primarily South Wales: Monmouthshire, Newport, Cardiff, Caerphilly, Torfaen. They’ve also expanded into England (Tameside contract worth £40,000).
Can B & S clamp my car on my driveway?#
Yes. B & S can clamp or remove vehicles parked on public highways or your driveway. They use ANPR technology. Your car is only safe in a locked garage. If it’s on finance or lease, prove this with documents.
How quickly does an IVA stop B & S?#
Immediately. Once you enter an IVA, B & S must cease all action by law. Your insolvency practitioner notifies them, and they cannot visit, call, or add further fees.
Check if you qualify for an IVA in 60 seconds
B & S Bailiff Services is venture capital-backed and embedded in the Welsh public sector. But you still have rights and options. An IVA can stop B & S immediately, freeze all fees, and give you a path to becoming debt-free.