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Pressure mounts on wedding dress trader
Reporter: Janice Barker
Date online: 18 August 2010
A bridal gown supplier from Kent is taking legal action after being owed £3,500 by a failed business owned by Chadderton woman.
Phoenix Gowns, of Chiselhurst, imports dresses supplied to Amanda Underhay, of Amanda’s Bridal Company.
As revealed in the Chronicle on Friday, bailiffs seized dresses from her store room at the Falcon Business Centre this month for non-payment of rates, and have also taken action at her former premises in Corbrook Road, Chadderton.
Amanda Underhay, a sole trader, also had three County Court judgements against her this year.
Tian O’Donnell, owner of Phoenix Gowns which had been dealing with her for four years, said: “I stopped taking orders from Amanda in March.
“Amanda was always a later payer, but from this January it got really, really bad. She owes £3,500.
“We didn’t have any choice. We made a big loss.
“The situation was very difficult. She had lots of samples in her shop, and brides paid deposits to Amanda’s Bridal company.
“We will have to sort this out and we are consulting solicitors.”
Brides were left in tears last week when they turned up for fitting appointments only to be met by bailiffs.
Calls to Amanda Underhay’s phone are not being answered, and she is refusing to answer the door at her home in Middleton Road, Chadderton, where the letter box is sealed.
Oldham Council cabinet member for customer services, Councillor Mohammed Masud, said: “Bailiffs from Unity Partnership working on behalf of Oldham Council removed goods from Amanda’s Bridal Shop for non-payment of business rates.
“The owner has co-operated fully with Trading Standards and Unity staff.
“Where identified, customers whose dresses were removed from the shop have been contacted directly by the bailiffs to discuss arrangements for them to be delivered.
“Anyone with concerns should call Consumer Direct on 08454-040506 which is liaising with Oldham Trading Standards and giving specialist advice to anyone that has had dealings with the company.”
Comments
I got married in July this year. My mother ordered shoes and a handbag from Amanda's Bridal in April. We paid the full amount, however the goods never appeared and after countless lies from Amanda's Bridal (even up to the week before) my mum ended up with no shoes. This was the only stress we had with our wedding and I really sympathise with other brides who ordered much more than we did.
Have Your Say
We are all quick to blame the shop owner, however no one wants to see thier business fail. These are extremely difficult trading times and especially in bridal. It is one day in the life of a bride who will no doubt get a dress whereas this will lead to years of problems for the owner.
We need perspective yes it is extremely stressful and sad for the brides but as long as your husband to be is there surely that is all that matters x
By LubyLou @ 20/08/2010 12:37:49