'They're all scum'
26th May 2011
A bridal shop owner whose store went into administration
has labelled the people of Ashford as "scum".
Sharon Keates, 50, of Main Road, Sellindge, delivered the
parting shot after Brides of Ashford in Wellesley Road shut down on
Monday May 16.
She said: "They're all scum if you ask me. Not all of them, but the customers we've had.
"They've been rude, they're aggressive, they don't pay for
orders, they're horrible people. It's the worst town I've ever
worked in.
"I tried for a year to make that company work. I tried my hardest because I still don't like to let people down."
Mrs Keates, who was declared bankrupt in November last year,
said she had about 300 outstanding orders, including 40 wedding
packages.
"<>Brides of Ashford has gone into administration. I've spoken to
90 per cent of those customers with outstanding orders but some of
them I can't get hold of", she said.
"I know people are upset, I understand that. I will fulfill the orders as best I can and I will go to bed with a clear conscience. At the end of the day I'm not obliged to do it.
"When any company goes into liquidation all contracts cease.
"I've lost my livelihood, my car, my animals and my home. They've lost a few hundred pounds. Big deal really."
However the sudden closure has been a "big deal" to brides who have contacted the Kentish Express, panicking about their big day.
Mark and Lucinda Ball's special day was nearly ruined when she found Brides of Ashford closed.
Southeastern trains manager Lucinda Ball, 31, of St Mary Hoo,
Medway, arrived to find the store empty last Tuesday, three days
before her wedding.
"I was due to collect my dress that day so when I found it
closed I was distraught," said Mrs Ball, nee Davies.
Unable to get hold of the owners, she resorted to buying a new
dress for her big day at the last minute.
Her relatives later tracked down Mrs Keates to a new bridal store being opened in High Street, Sittingbourne and got hold of the dress she originally ordered.
"I didn't want to wear it," Mrs Ball said.
"It left such a bad taste in my mouth.
"If I hadn't found a new dress my wedding would have been ruined."
She and husband Mark, 38, married at the Lost Village of Dode in
Luddesdown last Friday.
Canterbury resident Maria Thicke, 23, who paid for a £3,000
wedding package and is due to get married on June 11, panicked
after finding the shop closed.
She also found Mrs Keates at the new store in
Sittingbourne.
"They were just sitting there,"she said. "I asked her what was
going on. She said she was not legally obliged to give me my
dresses or any refund.
"She said she's a limited company so nobody can touch her. She said her shop had a 'no refund' policy. I paid her £3,000 and I've got nothing to show for it."
- What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford, Kent TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk