Money for nothing! (From Penarth Times)

Money for nothing!

PENARTH traders could have lost thousands after paying out their cash for advertising space in a glossy brochure which was never printed.

Numerous businesses in the town and in Cardiff were approached by Lancashire-based advertising company Medi-Leisure Plus.

The company said they were in the process of compiling a brochure for the former Complete Wedding Studio on Glebe Street, Penarth.

One Penarth trader, who does not want to be named, said she paid 400 to advertise in the planned publication.

When the wedding shop closed at the beginning of May, she contacted Medi-Leisure Plus, whose offices are in Chorley, and the company advised her to cancel her direct debit.

But months later she is still waiting for her 400 refund - and she fears up to 20 other businesses may have lost much more.

Another trader who is still waiting for the return of hundreds of pounds is Suzanne Evans, of the Pamper House on Cowbridge Road East, Canton.

Suzanne said she paid an initial sum of money to a sales representative of Medi-Leisure Plus when they visited her.

Suzanne heard nothing from the company for two weeks, and then discovered the Complete Wedding Studio had closed.

Assuming that the brochure would not now be printed, she contacted Medi-Leisure Plus and was told the money she had paid out would be refunded.

But after attempting to correspond with the company via numerous phone calls, faxes and letters since May, Suzanne has still not received a penny of the money she invested.

"I have been writing all the letters, on behalf of myself and other businesses, trying in vain to get our money back.

"None of us are big businesses and we just cannot afford to lose this money."

The Penarth Times contacted Medi-Leisure Plus several times, but no-one from the company would speak to our reporter.

A spokesperson for Trading Standards at the Vale of Glamorgan Council said the companies who have paid to advertise with Medi-Leisure Plus need to get in touch with them as soon as possible.

She said each company would need to present all correspondence with Medi-Leisure - ie receipts, letters, faxes - to Trading Standards officers.

The spokesperson also suggested it would be better if the businesses involved filed a collective complaint rather than individual ones.

For more information, contact Trading Standards on 01446 709105.