Bride's dress drama

10:30am Saturday 5th July 2008

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A BRIDE had her wedding day dreams saved at the last minute after the dress she ordered from Bradford on Avon-based Arvella Bridal was locked inside the shop when it went bust last week.

Emma Thew and Rob Escott, from North Bradley, were due to get married in Trowbridge last weekend.

Miss Thew was told she could collect her dress from Arvella the Wednesday before but when her fiancé turned up at the shop he found it locked up.

Miss Thew was beside herself and with no way of contacting the owner, Lisa Clarkson, the couple had no alternative than to buy another dress.

Mr Escott said: "We had loads of offers from people but we decided to go with Clifton Brides in Bath.

"We had to pay for the dress again of course but they got it ready in two days and even gave us 20 per cent off.

"I think the way the closure of Arvella was handled is disgraceful. I have my own business and I keep my accounts in order.

"To know a business is about the close and still take people's money is callous - they knew exactly what they were doing."

Miss Thew tried on a few dresses in Clifton Brides and found one she liked, so the company sent it off to a seamstress in Weston super Mare to be adjusted.

They then arranged for it to be sent by taxi directly to Miss Thew's front door on Friday, just in time for the wedding.

Mr Escott said: "I just want to say thank you to these people they really pulled out all the stops.

"I didn't know about wedding insurance before this, I only wish I did, but you don't think these things are going to happen do you."