Bridal shop closes suddenly leaving couples stranded (From Daily Echo)

Bridal shop closes suddenly leaving couples stranded

3:32pm Friday 20th June 2008

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THEY promise a perfect day - and have delivered anything but.

Wedding plans across Hampshire today lie in tatters after a Southampton bridal store shut up shop without notice.

Gowns remain hanging on racks inside Perfect Days in the city's High Street and the window displays show off expensive bejewelled gowns.

But looking through the window is as close as brides to be can get to their dresses after the shop closed up with no explanation or forwarding address.

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Scores of frantic brides have been trying to find out what has happened to their dresses and their money.

Jennifer Hulbert, 45, has been planning her big day for 18 months and has been left reeling after discovering the shop had closed just five weeks before her wedding.

"I have been crying and feeling constantly sick. It has been awful, I just can't believe it has happened," she told the Daily Echo.

Jennifer, of Mandela Way, Southampton, had paid £375 a year ago for an ivory-coloured gown. But when she arrived for a fitting, she found the shop shut without any explanation.

She said: "They are not answering the phone, I can't get hold of anyone. I keep driving down there to see if they are open again but there is no sign."

Jennifer, who is due to marry fiancé Mark McMillan on July 26, has had to order another dress in the hope of getting in delivered on a rush order.

"It has been an added expense of £400 that I hadn't budgeted for but I didn't want to be in the position of not having a dress at all."

According to Companies House, which lists all current businesses, Perfect Days Bridal Wear Ltd had only been set up as a limited company last month. It has not officially gone into receivership, so what has happened to the firm remains a mystery.

The Daily Echo has been unable to contact the company.

Neighbouring business said they have been contacted by worried brides but did not know anything about what had happened to the shop owners who had not been seen for about two weeks.

Other bridal shops in the city have been inundated by brides looking for last-minute dresses in time for their summer weddings.

Gail Fletcher, manager of Pronuptia in East Street, Southampton, said: "We have had brides in tears. We have managed to help some of them out and we will do our best if anyone contacts us. It is just such a dire situation for them to be in."

Southampton's trading standards department has received several complaints about the closure of Perfect Days.

A spokesman said: "If you paid by credit card then get in touch with the card issuer and you should be able to get your money back that way as it is a secure payment.

"If it was a debit card, cheque or cash payment it is more difficult as you have to contact Companies House and if the company has gone into liquidation you need to find out who is responsible for sorting out the creditors and get in touch with them."

• Trading standards can be contacted via Consumer Direct on 0845 404 0506.

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