A BUSINESSMAN has had to shell out more than £12,000 after falsely claiming to be an architect.

Andrew Feasey, director of CPS Architecture and Design Ltd, at Middleborough, Colchester, was prosecuted for misusing the title five times, from November last year to February this year.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard Feasey, 35, had been contacted by industry regulators, the Architects Registration Board “on numerous occasions”, it said, about his continued use of the title of architect, but ignored warnings.

Charges were brought against him and the company.

An Architects Registration Board spokesman said: “There were five charges in relation to misuse of the title architect which had appeared on Mr Feasey’s occupation listing on Companies House, his company website and on various business directories such as Yelp, Touch Local and Plentific.

“Taking into consideration the public interest in people not advertising services they are not qualified to offer, the court imposed a total fine of £10,000, a victim surcharge of £100 and costs of £2,389 to be paid within 28 days.”

For each charge, the maximum fine of £2,500 was imposed, under the Architects Act 1997.

The ARB confirmed Mr Feasey is still able to trade as the law does not protect the function of architecture. 

However he may not use the title “architect” as that is reserved for those who hold the appropriate qualifications and were successfully admitted to the Register of Architects.

The company was formed in 2014.

A spokesman for CPS Architecture and Design said yesterday: “These charges where raised due to mismarketing from outside companies and our previous accountants.

“We have corrected the issues raised and continue to trade and grow the firm.”

"We are currently proceeding with actions against others to cover these errors."

The firm was still listed on Companies House, Touch Local and Plentific yesterday.

Its website states: “CPS Architecture and Design has designed and administered the construction of all building types.

“Our practice portfolio is diverse, covering small scale refurbishment projects to multi-million pound new buildings.”

“Please look at our case studies for details of our many projects. We believe we have a passion to create wonderful spaces to work or live in.”

It adds it can offer “qualified and experienced staff” and “architectural design creativity”.

The company’s Facebook page also features a number of photographs of projects it has worked on recently in and around Colchester.