A local memorial and headstone business is currently facing restrictions from accessing cemeteries and is undergoing investigations by the authorities. Mackie Memorials, based in Wirral, has been prohibited from operating in Wirral’s cemeteries and is under scrutiny by both Wirral Council and Merseyside Police. The company, known for creating personalized memorials and headstones, previously operated in Birkenhead but has since closed its Liscard branch.
The business took its name from E.F. Mackie Limited, a long-standing company located on Rake Lane in Wallasey. In 2023, Thomas Smith established Mackie Memorials at his former shop on Liscard Way. Despite a positive reputation built over the years, complaints received by Wirral Council’s cemetery service have led to the council urging individuals to report any issues with the company to the police.
A spokesperson confirmed that Mackie Memorials is not allowed to operate in council cemeteries, and Merseyside Police is cooperating with the local authority on the matter. Wirral Council officials have acknowledged the challenges faced by individuals dealing with Mackie Memorials and are encouraging them to report their experiences to the police. Residents are advised to file complaints through Report Fraud, the UK’s national service for reporting cybercrime and fraud, in collaboration with Merseyside Police.
The council is considering long-term exclusion of Mackie Memorials from the Memorial Mason Registration Scheme due to ongoing concerns. If residents have encountered issues with the company’s services, they are urged to report them through official channels such as Citizens Advice Consumer Service, Report Fraud, and Merseyside Police.
After taking over the company in 2023, Mr. Smith expressed his commitment to upholding the business’s longstanding reputation and importance in the community. Records from Companies House show that Mackie Memorials Limited’s accounts and confirmation statement are overdue, with a recent application for striking off the company. Despite this, the compulsory strike-off action has been temporarily suspended, as announced by Companies House.
