Smartbox owes us hundreds say pubs
Interactive TV service Smartbox has admitted it is experiencing "growing pains" after several licensees complained of not being paid.
Smartbox, launched a year ago, allows hosts to subsidise the cost of financing a big screen by taking a cut of fees from adverts played on the system.
However, some hosts have not been paid and have complained of poor service.
Graham Warren, of the Coniston in Idle, West York-shire, has had two cheques for £600 bounce.
"I have not received a penny since installing the system in April," he said.
"I am supposed to get £40 a week and I am owed more than £1,000."
Warren fears he may not be able to keep up repayments on equipment he has leased as part of the deal.
He has to pay Lombard Direct £251 a month for three years for the Smartbox, big screen, projector and small screen.
Lee Holmes, of the Smithy Inn, in Preston, Lancashire, claims he is owed £1,505.
He has written to the company warning that his next step will be a complaint to Trading Standards.
"No-one can tell me when I am going to get paid," he added.
Holmes also slammed the system's poor reliability.
"I was told I could generate a small income stream from local businesses advertising on the Smartbox. I approached local businesses and received a good level of interest which has disappeared as the system has often been down when they visited my establishment."
Smartbox managing director Kate Venables said: "We are experiencing what can only be described as growing pains. The rapid growth of the network has stretched certain areas of the business.
"Funds are being channelled into addressing customer relationship management to ensure licensees have the support they need."
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