EIGHT young women from Dudley and Pensnett have been awarded a total of nearly £20,000 after their Black Country pampering party employer ceased trading.

Birmingham Employment Tribunal heard how the claimants worked for a firm called Grumpy but Gorgeous and visited the home of clients throughout the country, organising pamper parties for young girls.

The business was mainly run by Kate Brown, the tribunal heard and based in Dudley Port and Tividale, but the claimants argued they were told the firm was closing but given no reason.

The women took the company to tribunal with compensation claims for unpaid wages, holiday and notice pay against Miss Brown.

One of the claimants, 20 year-old Gemma Hodgetts, of Birds Meadow, Pensnett, complained she had not been paid for two and a half months and had worked a 40 hour week.

She said: “I told Miss Brown I was not going to work anymore until was paid. I was sent an e-mail and promised my wages but I never received anything. I was also given no written contract.”

Although tribunal judge Mr David Dimbylow told her she was not entitled to redundancy pay because she had not been employed for two years, she was awarded a total of £2,465.

Mr Dimbylow also told the claimants that they could face problems trying to obtain their awards and suggested they consider taking county court action if the respondent failed to pay within 42 days.