Three winding up applications filed against Jump! Swim School entities in two states

Three wind-up applications have been filed against companies related to a swimming school, and one legal firm fears they could owe creditors over $1 million.

Companies connected to Jump! Swim Schools could owe more than a million dollars according to a legal firm that has filed one of three wind-up applications in two states against related swim school entities.

The Australian Taxation Office has filed a wind-up application against Jump Swim Schools Services Pty Ltd in the Federal Court in Brisbane.

Two wind-up applications have been lodged against Jump Loops Pty Ltd in Melbourne and they claim they are allegedly owed more than $120,000 combined.

Last week, GT Advisory & Consulting were appointed to investigate the affairs of the Gold Coast-based Swim Loops and whether it can be kept afloat.

Mr O’Kearney, for GT Advisory & Consulting, said that while he was assessing the company’s future, the head office and all locations would be open for business.

Young Gold Coast entrepreneur Ian Campbell is the director of Swim Loop Holdings which owns the IP and the trademark for Jump! Swim Schools.

Jump Swim School founder Ian Campbell. Picture: Adam Head

Swim Loops Holdings is the holding company for Swim Loops, Jump Loops and Jump Swim School Services.

Swim Loops and Jump Loops are franchisors for the brand.

Mr Campbell is the founder of Jump! Swim Schools which have more than 60 locations across Australia including nine in Queensland.

Besides the taxman initiating proceedings against Jump Swim School Services, WorkCover Queensland joined the action after filing an affidavit in support of the wind-up application last Tuesday.

A hearing has been set down for June 7.

Franchise Legal lawyer Ilya Furman said he was “inundated” with calls after he filed an application for a wind-up order in the Federal Court in Melbourne earlier this month.

Another 10 parties have joined the action with a hearing also set down for June 7.

“We have received inquiries from franchisees of Jump on several matters and most of which involved franchisees who paid well over $100,000 to the franchisor and have nothing to show for it,” Mr Furman told The Courier-Mail.

“I would say there would be a million, at least owing, based on what I have seen.

“A number of franchisees haven’t taken any legal action at all and are watching from the sidelines because a lot of them are concerned of throwing good money after bad.”

JUMP! Swim Schools managing director Ian Campbell. Picture: supplied.

Franchise Legal has offices in four capital cities, including Brisbane, and Mr Furman was highly critical of Jump Loops who alone owe just one of his clients more than $50,000.

Mr Furman said he had received a call from “Jump” saying they would pay the debt but until he receives the money he would continue with the wind-up action.

The wind-up actions do not affect independent Jump! franchisees.

Mr Campbell was contacted for comment.

Originally published as Three winding up applications filed against Jump! Swim School entities in two states