Voucher anger but new business is not to blame

Health Spa, based beneath Toni and Guy the hairdressers in the Parade, Leamington, shut up shop at the beginning of January with five members of staff losing their jobs.

But the staff and management at Sanctuary Spa Leamington, the new business which has opened in its place, are having to break the bad news to Health Spa customers that gift vouchers - some worth hundreds of pounds - for the previous business can no longer be used.

The Sanctuary Spa owner Suky Dale said: “We feel really bad about it but we want people to know that we have nothing to do with the previous business or its owner.

“We are a separate company and she should not be allowed to get away with it scot-free.”

To soften the blow, Sanctuary Spa has been offering discounts on treatments to those bringing vouchers into the shop.

Mrs Dale has also employed three staff members from the previous business, including manager Anette Hartwell.

Ms Hartwell said she and the others are owed about two weeks’ pay from their previous employer.

She added: “So many people have brought vouchers in and they are so upset.

“One had a voucher worth about £200.”

Warwickshire Trading Standards officer Simon Cripwell said he has conducted a search on the previous business, which according to Companies House is still operating although that record may yet to have been updated.

Mr Cripwell said: “As the Health Spa is a limited company, if it has gone bankrupt holders of vouchers will become unsecured creditors and must register their interest with the liquidators or administrators and they might get a share of whatever funds are left.

“If, however, the limited company still exists then it could be sued for breach of contract.”

The Sanctuary Spa has been passing on the registered address and contact details of the previous businesses’s owner for voucher holders to try to claim their money back.

The Courier called and left messages on the mobile telephone number provided in order to get a comment but at the time of going to print had received no response.

To contact the Warwick district Citizen’s Advice Bureau call 0844 855 2322.