Beverly Attfield said she had no choice but to close Amity Creations in Broadwater Street West, Broadwater, because she was struggling with spiralling debts running into thousands of pounds.

Click here to read the Herald's story of how Wendy Barnes was left without balloons for her wedding reception after she paid £150 in advance to Amity Creations for them.

But Beverly claims she telephoned all the customers she had contact details for before the store closed in June, to tell them what was happening and to let them know their orders would be honoured.

Financial strain

Beverly, 47, said: "I know it's no excuse, but if there were any customers who weren't contacted I can only think it's because we mislaid their order.

"Obviously, if this lady can prove she paid me for the balloons I will endeavour to pay her back, but it might not be straight away as I don't have any money right now.

"I didn't want to spoil anyone's day."

Beverly, who took over the store from the previous owners in June, 2007, said she took the heartbreaking decision to close when she realised she was facing bankruptcy.

Struggling

She said from the moment they opened she struggled to pay the bills and competition from other stores made things even harder.

She said it was on the advice of her solicitor that she closed so quickly, and believes she did her best to let all her customers know what was going on.

She said: "I struggled from the moment I opened the shop, and now I've learnt a valuable lesson about business.

"I wanted to own my own shop to better myself, so maybe I could buy my first home, but I've ended up worse than when I started.

Upset

"It's turned me into the gutter, it will take years to pay back all my debts.

"I just want people to know that I had no intention of ripping them off. I'm just really upset and sorry about it all."

Since her business collapsed, she has started working in her youngest daughter's decoration shop Balloo's in Brougham Road, East Worthing.

As well as that, she said she is still completing the last of her outstanding orders for wedding balloons from Amity Creations, and said she has even received several thank-you letters.

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