Ayrshire brides devastated by shop closure

Jun 5 2009 by Lisa Boyle

DOZENS of Ayrshire brides have been left without a wedding dress – weeks before their big day.

Capri Skies bridal shop in Ayr’s Sandgate closed without warning on Friday.

Devastated brides have been left with a race against time to replace their dream gowns.

And many are thousands of pounds out of pocket.

Owner Kahlua Cameron has been keeping a low profile since shutting up shop last week.

It is believed around 50 Ayrshire brides could be affected by the closure. Scores more Glasgow brides have also been left high and dry by the closure of the Bath Street branch.

Ashleigh McAvoy bought her dream dress from Capri Skies last November.

She and her fiance are getting married in the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas next year.

Now Ashleigh will struggle to pay for a similar gown.

She said: “We were told in November if we paid 50 per cent deposit we would get 20 per cent off the full price. So my mum paid £450 and we were expecting a call any day for the remainder.

“My wedding isn't until next year, so luckily I’m not in the same position as some poor brides getting married in next few weeks.

“But as you can imagine in this current financial climate I am devastated to have lost out on that amount of money and my dress, as now I will not be able to afford to repurchase a similar gown.”

Jade Rowan, 21, found out on Saturday that Capri Skies was closed.

She is due to get married to fiance Gary Porter at the Parkstone this weekend.

On Monday, she arrived in Diane Honeyman’s frantically trying to get another dress on time for her big day.

But she has had a happy ending.

Jade explained: “I got a phone call on Tuesday to say the Glasgow shop would be opening.

“Apparently, a couple who own a cake shop in Glasgow and know Kahlua Cameron through the industry persuaded her to give him the keys, so that all the girls whose dresses were in the shop could get them.

“I went up to his house at 10pm on Tuesday night and got my dress. I’ve never been so happy in all my life. This will make my day even more special, it’ll be the icing on the cake.”

But the news has resulted in other bridal shops throughout Ayrshire pulling together to help the brides.

Varri Walton is the manager of Diane Honeyman in Ayr.

She said: “We’ve helped a lot of girls already, so many are getting married in the next few weeks.

“We have sample dresses we can sell at a reduced price and our seamstresses are working extra hours.

And Lyn Donoghue, who owns Cuco Couture in Troon, added: “Everyone is mucking in a trying to help out.

“If brides can give us basic information – the style number, colour and size – we can contact designers.

“Those dresses which have been paid for, we can arrange to get them delivered here.

“This is the first time I’ve ever seen anything like this happen.”