A Dundee student claims a jewellery repair shop based in the Overgate refused to return her bracelet worth hundreds after it closed suddenly.
The 19-year-old – who received the silver Gucci bracelet for her 18th birthday – is one of several customers concerned over their valuable items after In-Time entered liquidation last week.
The national chain, in business since 1981, told staff just days before Christmas they were to lose their jobs.
Dundee woman Alyx Mcintosh spoke to The Courier after her cousin – who does not wish to be named – left her bracelet at the shopping centre kiosk to be repaired last month.
She claims that when her cousin went to pick it up last week, a member of staff told her he couldn’t return it as the firm had “gone bust” and he had lost his job.
Alyx said: “And she said, ‘But that is my bracelet, I want my bracelet back’.
“But they didn’t give her any more information or anything – they just told her to go.
“So she was really upset and just left and phoned her dad to see what to do.”
The bracelet, which has a retail value of £260, holds a great deal of sentimental value for the teenager.
Customers urged to contact liquidator for support
A statement on In-Time’s website reads: “We regret to advise our customers the stores and the website are currently closed.
“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”
It also advises customers who have an item currently in for service to contact liquidator FRP Advisory.
But Alyx claims emails and phone calls have gone unanswered.
She said: “[My cousin] has since tried to contact [FRP Advisory] – she has sent them a number of emails – and they have just been bouncing back.
“I’ve also tried to phone the liquidators a number of times but there is no option to leave a message and it just hangs up on you after a few rings.
“She is feeling pretty hopeless about it all. She doesn’t know what to do.”
In-Time closure came as a ‘shock’ to Overgate
Malcolm Angus, centre manager at the Overgate, shares in the anger of customers who have been impacted by the sudden closure.
He says In-Time’s decision to enter liquidation was a “shock” to the shopping centre.
He said: “[On December 22] we received a call from the staff working on the In-Time unit saying they had taken a call from their head office stating they were to close with immediate effect as they were entering voluntary liquidation.
“We are trying to get answers from In-Time but they are not responding, however I feel the anger of customers regarding their items left at the stall.
“We are also seeking communication from them regarding removal of the kiosk as this is prime commercial space.”
A spokesperson for FRP said: “Discussions in relation to the future of the business remain ongoing.
“While stores and the website are closed, customers are encouraged to email any enquiries to ITWS-Creditors@frpadvisory.com.
“We recognise that there will be some concern among customers with outstanding repairs and appreciate their patience as we work to ensure they can retrieve personal items as soon as possible.”
The firm’s kiosk operated in Debenhams before the high street giant went into administration in April 2020.
It moved to the Overgate last August and employed two members of staff.
