Ascot trip off after shock closure of firm
A dream day at the races has turned into a nightmare for a group of women who fear they have been left out of pocket to the tune £6,200 after the firm they booked the trip with went into liquidation.
A dream day at the races has turned into a nightmare for a group of women who fear they have been left out of pocket to the tune £6,200 after the firm they booked the trip with went into liquidation.
The group, 31 women from Hagley, Halesowen, Harborne and Solihull, were horrified to discover Lichfield's Past-Time Rail had ceased trading. They go to Ladies Day at Royal Ascot every year and planned to continue the tradition this year, booking their places with the firm and paying.
But when they phoned to check the arrangements they were unable to get in touch with the company.
Pamela Taylor, who organises the trips for the women, said: "I phoned and phoned but could get no answer. I even rang BT to see if there was a fault with the line but they said it was fine.
"Eventually after a great deal of persistence a man answered the phone and told me what was going on.
"A note was only put on the firm's website the next day. I now have a letter from the liquidators."
Mrs Taylor said she had been in touch with Trading Standards and her bank to see if she could get the money refunded.
"I paid for the trip on my debit card so I am hoping there is some way to get the money back," she said.
"However at this moment in time I just don't know.
"I am furious. The company had to know what state it was in and yet still it was taking people's money.
"It has turned what should have been a lovely day out into a nightmare."
The women are not the only people to have been affected by the firm going into liquidation. Sisters Irene Price, Lynn Flavell and Elaine Flavell-Bowman, who live in Sedgley, Himley and Coseley, splashed out £750 to attend Ladies' Day.
The trip was advertised as a chance to arrive at Ascot in "grand style" aboard a private diesel-hauled train carrying only 252 people.
Letters have been sent out and a statement on the firm's website reads: "For reasons beyond our control, we have had to cease trading and are regrettably in the process of appointing a liquidator. Our offices are now closed. We have traded for many years and many passengers have travelled with us. We are truly sorry for the disappointment and any inconvenience caused by this sad news."
