A former Wilko store that reopened as a new furniture shop has suddenly closed - with some customers claiming they have been left thousands of pounds out of pocket. Aamad Trading Ltd took over the empty site in St George’s Street, Canterbury, in March, promising “affordable luxury” as it filled the shop floor with sofas, beds, coffee tables, lamps and mirrors. But just seven months later, a notice has appeared in the window from bailiffs acting on behalf of the landlord, Canterbury Estates Ltd, saying the building has been repossessed because it has been abandoned by the tenants, who are in rent arrears.
Several people say they have paid out for furniture they have yet to receive. The daughter of one affected customer told KentOnline their mum has been left very upset and feels “ripped off”. Aamad Trading boss Taz Shaikh previously told KentOnline he was “in it for the long term”, having taken on a 10-year lease for the building, which offers almost 30,000 sq ft of floor space.
It appeared to be a welcome shot in the arm for the derelict premises, with Mr Shaikh claiming it would be the first of a chain of branches of Aamad opening across the south east. However, Rocky Singh, an agent for Canterbury Estates Ltd, says the bailiffs were called in after Aamad Trading defaulted on rent payments. He says the deadline for settling arrears was Monday and a final bailiffs’ notice has now been sent to the tenant.
Mr Singh says he has also been working with disgruntled .