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Devastated Forfar woman still waiting for compensation months after wedding dress was destroyed in laundry fire

Laura left the £1,800 dress with Blair's Laundry and Drycleaners in Forfar last summer but it was taken to the Blairgowrie branch which was gutted by the blaze.

Laura Stephen's wedding dress was burned when Blair's Laundry went up in flames
Laura Stephen's wedding dress was burned when Blair's Laundry went up in flames. Image: Laura Stephen/Kerry Ramsay.

A devastated Angus woman says she is still waiting to be compensated after her wedding dress was destroyed in a laundrette fire.

Laura Stephen, 61, left the £1,800 dress with Blair’s Laundry and Drycleaners in Forfar last summer and was told it would be ready in around six months.

It was taken to the company’s Blairgowrie branch, which was destroyed by a fire in October – along with everything inside.

She says the business failed to notify her following the incident and hasn’t given her any information regarding compensation.

This is despite her repeated phone calls and visits to the Forfar branch.

‘I am gutted’

Laura, who got married three years ago, said: “The first I heard about the fire was when my friend alerted me.

“Blair’s have my phone number but they have never been in touch.

“I am gutted. I lost my husband nine years ago so this was me getting remarried.

“I’d never had a wedding dress before so it was special.

“It’s the last time I’ll ever be married.

“It meant a lot to me – I would have handed it down to my granddaughters.”

Blairs Laundry on fire.
Blair’s Laundry on fire.

Laura says she has visited Blair’s Forfar branch on several occasions, but staff have been unable to share any details with her.

She added: “I am not hopeful they will compensate me.”

Forfar woman loses £550 dress

Blair’s Laundry and Drycleaners cover Tayside, Fife, Edinburgh, Stirling and Argyll.

Carol Bedford, who left a £550 dress at Blair’s in Forfar just a few weeks before the fire, says she has experienced similar issues.

After learning about the blaze, she emailed the company for information, but received no response.

Her visits to the Forfar store were also in vain, with a member of staff telling her that she was unable to reach her boss and could offer no advice.

Carol wearing the dress that was at Blair's.
Carol wore the dress to a wedding. Image: Carol Bedford

She said: “I asked if she had contacted the boss but she could only text as he didn’t pick up her calls.

“He didn’t respond to her texts either. She thought the phone number was no longer available.

“I tried and he answered.

“His customer service is appalling – he said we had to email all information.

“I did this and asked for confirmation. I didn’t get any response.

“If he can’t answer all emails he should phone the shop for the lady to inform us.”

The Blairgowrie laundry after the fire.
Blairgowrie laundry was gutted in the fire. Image: Phil Hannah

Rebecca Herring, from Letham, dropped off her winter curtains – worth over £100 – at Blair’s in October.

She says she relies on the heavy curtains to keep her house warm during the colder months of the year.

The 47-year-old said: “I’ve phoned once, I’ve been in three times and I’ve dropped off three letters – but they say nothing.

“I’m on benefits so it’s not like I have an unlimited amount of money.

“My mum gave me some but she’s a pensioner and now I owe her £103.

“In the grand scheme of things it’s not a lot of money – but it’s a lot to me.”

She added: “I am feeling frustrated and disappointed more than anything.

“I don’t want other people to be left out of pocket and left disappointed”.

Blair’s Laundry says matter is being handled by insurers

A spokesperson for Blair’s Laundry and Dry Cleaners said: “The matter is currently with our insurers.

“We share our customers’ frustration with such slow progress and greatly appreciate their patience.

“I understand fair compensation for the used goods deposited will be offered where liable, some customers have already chosen to claim on their own policies where they have cover.

“Updates will be communicated when we receive them”.

The business did not provide details of their insurers to approach for comment.

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