Couple want money back after holiday flat let-down

Aug 14 2008 by Judith Phillips, North Wales Weekly News

DISAPPOINTED tourists are taking legal action to recover money they are owed for a holiday that never happened.

Kathleen Everett and Howard Neil, from Grimsby, had booked a week’s holiday at the Augusta Holiday Flats in Llandudno last month.

A few days before they were due to arrive, they were told the flats were closed for urgent fire prevention work.

“It was a shock as we’d booked the holiday months before, when we paid a £75 deposit,” said Ms Everett. “Then four weeks beforehand we paid the balance, bringing the total we had paid to £485.

“When we heard we couldn’t go to the flats, we tried to find other similar accommodation, but at that short notice we couldn’t find anything so instead booked into a hotel for the week.

“That meant our holiday ended up costing us over £1,000 when it would have been less than £500.”

She said the change in holiday plans meant Mr Neil had incurred a £500 credit card debt. “We’re having to pay interest on that, which is something we wouldn’t have to do if we could get the refund we’re entitled to,” she said.

The couple have now instructed a solicitor to try to recover the money.

“While we were staying in Llandudno, we went around to the flats twice,” said Ms Everett. “On one occasion the door was locked and there was no reply, on the other a man and woman were sitting outside but said they weren’t connected with the business.

“We have phoned on numerous occasions, but there is an answerphone which doesn’t allow you to leave a message. Our solicitor has written to them but so far hasn’t had a reply.”

On July 31, the Weekly News reported how an elderly couple had turned up at the flats only to find them closed while fire precautions were improved. Sheila Whalley, who is a director of Augusta Holiday Flats, said she would return their deposit and offer them a replacement holiday.

This week, attempts to contact the owners of the flats were unsuccessful.

judith.phillips