School uniform supplier The Sewing Shop in Echo Square, Gravesend shuts down and sends customers to new suppliers in Chatham Dockside
A preferred college uniform store has abruptly closed down forcing customers on a close to ten mile journey to new suppliers.
Parents hoping to accumulate pre-orders from The Sewing Shop in Echo Square, Gravesend had been shocked to discover a be aware on the door telling them the enterprise had closed down and to chase their orders through the new supplier’s web site.
The store shares uniform for nearly each major and secondary college in the Gravesham borough, and the information got here as a shock to mother and father and colleges who’ve been utilizing the store to package out their youngsters for many years.
Old Lady of Hartley Catholic Primary School in Stack Lane, Hartley, close to Longfield solely discovered in regards to the closure on Monday morning.
Secretary Kim Gillespie mentioned: “I obtained an e mail from the woman who used to run the store saying she had had to shut due to household circumstances and was not allowed to inform anybody till the deal was performed.
mpu1
“I now want to ship an e mail out to mother and father, however I would like to discover out extra data from the new suppliers first.
“I would like to know what velocity of turnaround mother and father can anticipate once they order uniform, the price of supply, and what’s the best approach for fogeys to go about ordering uniform.”
She added: “I’ve been onto the suppliers very first thing as there are issues I would like to know.
“I do know there will likely be a backlash from mother and father and I would like to know I’ve the solutions they need to all their questions.”
Parent Zoe Aqlan, from Meopham, mentioned she was planning to go to the store in preparation for her son’s transfer from major to Meopham School in September.
“It’s very frustrating to be losing The Sewing Shop,” she mentioned. “My son is transferring to secondary college in September and will want to be fitted for a complete new college uniform.
“Having to journey to Chatham for that is extraordinarily inconvenient.”
The store’s web site has shut down and and a message directs customers to new suppliers Simmonds & Sons Ltd in Dockside Shopping Centre, Chatham – almost ten miles away.
mpu2
Matt Palmer, industrial director for schoolwear supplier Banner Retail mentioned his firm had taken over the inventory for The Sewing Shop after the proprietor was pressured to shut for well being causes.
He mentioned: “We wanted to step in rapidly as the woman was not in a position to run the store and there was a hazard there can be nowhere in the world for fogeys to purchase their uniform.
“We have been a lifeboat for the kids in the world actually as now we have come in and taken over the inventory.”
The store’s lease had run out so he mentioned it made sense to transfer the inventory to a store they already personal in Chatham Dockside.
He mentioned mother and father can journey to the store or order on-line. Any pre-existing orders may also be handled by the new retailer.
