Bridal shop collapse inquiry

Berketex shuts leaving hundreds in the lurch

Bosses at a company that left hundreds of brides-to-be in the lurch will be probed by administrators winding up the firm.

Fifteen Berketex Bride stores across Britain – including two in Scotland – shut their doors on Tuesday with little or no warning.

The company’s Newcastle outlet had suddenly closed almost two weeks earlier but furious brides say the firm continued to take orders.

The company also had a significant presence at the Scottish Wedding Show in the middle of last month, where it was still selling dresses.

Administrators say the behaviour of the company will be investigated in the lead-up to the collapse.

The sole director of Berketex’s parent company Bridal Fashions Ltd is Taiwanese-Canadian Tsung-Hui Huang.

He became a director in 2013 and expressed his “sincere apologies for the abrupt closure of the store and any subsequent inconvenience this may cause”.

Once officially appointed, an administrator will explore the possibility of selling the stock, brand and website.

On Tuesday, Berketex Bride announced its retail outlets in the UK – including stores in Glasgow and Edinburgh – would be closed with immediate effect. It is believed that up to 80 staff will lose their jobs.

An estimated 300 brides-tobe have orders with the company.