Newlyweds lose £5,000 as shop shuts

7:00pm Friday 25th January 2008

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Newly-weds Joanna and Stuart Holman claim their dream wedding nearly turned into a disaster after the company organising their big day suddenly shut up shop.

The Holmans, who tied the knot at Highcliffe Castle on January 4, discovered Potterwood Weddings and Flowers in Westbourne had closed just days before the ceremony.

"We wanted the perfect wedding day," Joanna told the Daily Echo. "Two years ago Stuart was diagnosed with cancer.

"He proposed after an operation and treatment. We thought wedding planners would take the pressure off us and everything had been arranged."

The 32-year-old Bedford bank worker added: "Potterwood were dealing with the Cumberland Hotel in Bournemouth where our reception was being held and also organising the cake, transport for our guests, flowers and a pianist.

"The planning service cost us £6,000 and we had handed over a £5,000 cheque. My uncle had paid them £400 for our car.

"We were in Portugal when we had a phone call to say there were problems. The rest of our holiday was spent trying to reorganise everything.

"We sent emails and tried phoning the shop but there was no response. On January 3 we went to find it had closed.

"Paying out twice for so many wedding services meant it turned out to be very expensive and we had to postpone our honeymoon.

"But Stuart had just been given the all-clear and we still had a fantastic day.

"We're still hoping to get our money back and have contacted the police."

Bournemouth Trading Standards are also involved in the investigation.

Senior trading standards officer David Morton said: "We have received complaints about this company.

"Our advice is that people should contact the national advice service Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 and pay large sums by credit card, instead of cash or cheque, to ensure greater protection."

Cumberland Hotel director Kevin Wood who also contacted the police said: "We've lost money; I don't think we'll get it back."

Dorset Police are investigating but no charges have been made. A spokesman said: "Having received complaints, we are currently investigating the matter."

Nearby traders were as shocked as the Holmans to find Potterwood Weddings and Flowers had closed.

Festive arrangements and a notice giving details of Christmas Day deliveries are still on display in the shop frontage.

A member of staff at the sandwich shop opposite said: "The shop shut, without any warning, just before Christmas. The two men who ran it used to pop in occasionally but we haven't seen them since."

At the nearby launderette, a woman said: "The shop had only been open for about six months; I only realised it had closed when I noticed the delivery van wasn't parked at the back anymore."

There was no reply when the Daily Echo phoned Potterwood Weddings and Flowers.