Expectant mums left in lurch by Kiddisave closure
A children's shop in Walsall that closed suddenly has gone into liquidation - as parents that were left hundreds of pounds out of pocket battle to get their cash back.
Council bosses have confirmed Kiddisave in Green Lane is no longer trading, after families across the Black Country were left in the lurch.
Parents began voicing their concerns earlier this week when the shutters were left down at the store and customers had not received their deliveries.
Mothers and fathers had been frantically trying to contact staff at Kiddisave after their phone calls were not being returned.
The family-run company, based in Seymour House, had been trading since 1998.
But no-one from the business had been available to contact this week, which led parents to fear the worst.
Simon Cox, 32, whose partner, Jessica Russon, 23, is six months pregnant, had paid £500 in cash for a new Cosatto pram back in October.
Mr Cox of Churchill Road, Walsall, said: "We paid for our pram in cash like most people would and when we went to actually order it on Friday we were told everything was fine.
"At the moment we are talking with Cosatto to see if they will honour the payment.
"But the bottom line is my partner is six months pregnant and we have been left without a pram."
Mr Cox said some of his friends had ordered items as far back as May and had still not received their goods.
He said: "Some people have paid half the amount up front for prams that cost as much as £1,500 but it seems all that money has gone.
"Kiddisave has always been a huge company in Walsall and there will be thousands of people who have used it. People from all over the West Midlands used it."
Natasha Bennett, 25, from Halesowen, has launched a campaign on Facebook to warn customers about the store's closure.
She has asked people to share her story through social media after she was paid £400 in cash for a pram from Kiddisave.
Ms Bennett said her parents had always bought from the company so she decided to follow suit when she fell pregnant with her first child.
But after parting with £400 cash for a limited edition Eton Grey Surf 2 Silver Cross pram she received no letters or emails to confirm the sale.
Ms Bennett said: "My mum and I decided to go down there and speak to them face to face and get a refund as I am 31 weeks now and I didn't want to end up with no pushchair.
"All the shutters were down and there was no one there.
"I cannot believe anyone could do that to expectant parents who are spending a lot of money."
Trading Standards officials were inundated with complaints when she shop closed on Wednesday.
They launched an investigation and the council has now confirmed that the company is no longer trading.
Peter Cole, spokesman for Walsall Council, said: "We can confirm the nursery goods shop on Green Lane, Walsall, has gone into liquidation."
Walsall Council has advised customers who have placed orders or those who have any other civil claims to contact the Insolvency Practitioners Queensway, Halesowen,
Customers who have paid with a credit card for goods more than £100 can also claim money back from their credit card company.
A voluntary scheme, Charge Back, is available for parents who have bought items with their debit card.
Consumers can also ring Citizens Advice Consumer services for advice.
Kiddisave grew from being one shop in Walsall to one of the largest independent nursery stores in the UK.
The company supplies a range of baby products and accessories including prams, pushchairs, nursery furniture, car seats, baby cots, baby clothing, feeding, safety equipment and toys across Europe.
No-one was available for comment on behalf of Kiddisave.
