Worthing balloon shop bursts wedding plans
A BRIDE'S big day was threatened with disaster when the decorations for her wedding reception failed to turn up.
Wendy Barnes was just hours away from saying "I do" when she realised balloons and table ornaments she had ordered from Amity Creations had not arrived.
It turned out the shop, in Broadwater Street West, Broadwater, had closed suddenly and unexpectedly – leaving her and dozens of other customers disappointed and out of pocket.
Wendy, 43, of Alston Way, Durrington, said: "It didn't ruin my day but it certainly put a dampener on it.
"You spend months planning for it and it's such a special day that this is the last thing you want to happen.
"I was absolutely gutted."
Supermarket dash
Fortunately, Wendy's wedding went ahead as planned after a friend made a last-minute dash to a supermarket to buy some new balloons and decorations.
She married Dave Barnes on Saturday, July 5, at Centenary House, followed by a blessing at St Symphorian's Church in Durrington.
The ill-fated reception at the Shaftesbury Room at Worthing Leisure Centre followed, attended by around 40 guests.
Wendy said: "It did look nice in there, but with such little time it wasn't as nice as we had hoped.
"We had paid 150 for a balloon arch and balloons for the tables and holders for them.
Lost money
"Now, Amity Creations is not picking up the phone to us and it looks like we have just lost our money.
"Worst of all, I'd been in the shop just a week before the wedding to check the order.
"It was half empty so I'd asked them if everything was ok and they assured me it was.
"We can't be the only ones this has affected. There must be loads of unhappy customers."
Empty shelves
When a Herald reporter visited Amity Creations there were empty display shelves, a small pile of uncollected post on the doormat, and no indication on the door or windows of what had happened to the business.
A few doors away, Liz Dickie, from Opulence and Grace wedding outfit suppliers, said several people had been into her shop asking what had happened.
She said: "We couldn't help them then, but they have left their telephone numbers with us so that we can tell them anything we learn."
Another couple, who do not wish to be named, have also lost money. The man said: "I paid my cheque and it was cashed within a week.
"But when I drove past the shop afterwards, I saw the empty windows.
Let down
"I stopped to find out what was happening, and a neighbouring business told me that Amity Creations had suddenly closed down.
"There must be dozens and dozens of other people who have paid for services, and who now don't know whether they will get their money back.
"Some of them must be let down worse than us.
"We still have time to find another supplier – although we can't really afford to lose that 106."
Have you been affected by the sudden closure of Amity Creations?
Tell the Herald news team your story. Call 01903 282357 or email letters@worthingherald.co.uk
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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