HUNDREDS of mums-to-be have been plunged into crisis as a baby goods firm crashed.

Many have paid a small fortune for prams and maternity essentials ahead of the big day.

But now they look like getting nothing after the owners of the Newcastle Pram and Nursery Company, on Shields Road, Byker, put the firm in voluntary liquidation.

The business ran a savings card-style scheme, where customers paid cash installments up front for items they would receive in the future.

But now, its shelves have been cleared and its warehouse emptied as administrators moved in.

That leaves huge numbers of expectant mums in the lurch, desperately trying to raise the money to pay for replacement prams, cots and other accessories.

Today, victims told of their anguish as company bosses blamed the rise of internet shopping for its crash.

Keith Miller, one of the firm’s registered directors, said: “We tried everything and borrowed as much as we could but we had no choice but to go into liquidation.

“There will be hundreds of customers who have paid money and we have tried to speak to as many as possible.

“We just want to apologise to everyone. The internet has rocked everything and even though we started trading on the internet, we couldn’t cope with it.”

Company records show the Newcastle Pram and Nursery Company has two directors - Keith Miller, of East Denton, Newcastle, and Colin Tweddell.

Today, the shop shutters are down and a sign in the window, says: “Closed due to illness.”

The company’s website says it has been shut down for maintenance.

Punters were given payment cards and invited to call in any time they wanted to pay some of their balance off. This was recorded in writing on their cards, with most agreeing to collect their goods immediately before or after having their babies.

The firm is also listed as having a warehouse on the Westway Industrial Estate, Throckley, Newcastle, and that has also been emptied.

Administrators Tenon Recovery was appointed on February 28, with customers still paying just a week before that, and creditors will be invited to register with them.

Police and trading standards officers also received calls about with some customers fearing they were victims of fraud.

Dave O’Brien, of Newcastle trading standards, said: “We have received a number of reports.

“Because of the present situation, we would advise people to contact the administrators who have been appointed and to put their name down on the list of creditors.

“If people have not received their goods and they have paid on credit card, or any other form of credit, these firms have joint liability under the terms of section 75 or the Consumer Credit Act.”

A police spokesman said: “At this time there is no criminal investigation into this company.”

What to do now

ANYONE who fears they are owed cash or products by the Newcastle Pram and Nursery company is being asked to get in touch with its administrators.

Tenon Recovery, in Sunderland, is holding a meeting for all creditors of the company on April 7 at 11am.

Anyone wishing to attend needs to register with Tenon no later than noon the previous day, as well as lodging evidence of their dealings with the firm.

A list of creditors will also be publicly available at the Tenon offices, Ferryboat Lane, Sunderland, between 10am and 4pm on the two working days prior to the meeting.

The meeting, where creditors will vote on issues relating to the business’ assets, will also see decisions made about payments to the liquidators.

Customers who used credit cards to pay for products should contact the companies with whom they hold their account.


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