Rascals Nursery World on Ormskirk Street closed last week, leaving many families without the prams, cots, baby baths, and toys they ordered months earlier and had already paid for.

Irate customers have contacted Trading Standards, who have confirmed that owner Sharon Patton has filed for bankruptcy.

Many paid for their goods in cash or on debit cards and stand little chance of getting their money back.

Jane Rajnis is seven months pregnant with her first child. She has paid £450 for a pram, a car seat, and a parasol and does not know whether she is going to get the items before she gives birth.

The 29-year-old, of Newbold, said: "I ordered them a few weeks ago and I've paid for them in full.

"My boyfriend is a navy merchant and he's in America at the moment, when he finds out he will be devastated.

"I spent all yesterday crying, it is stress I don't need, I'm close to giving birth and I can't believe we are being put through it."

Another mum, Julie Colburn, has paid £89 for a doll for her little girl. She had been paying £10 installments to Rascals and was due to pick it up last week.

She said: "It is an absolute disgrace, my five-year-old Holly is distraught. I have promised her that doll for the past two years.

"When she found out we might be able to afford it she was over the moon. Every morning she used to cry before she went to school and I would tell her that if she didn't get upset she would get the doll.

"Now what am I supposed to do? I can't afford to buy her another one, I've spent a lot of what I have already - on nothing."

The shop, which used to be called Babyworld was renamed Rascals four years ago when the new owner took over.

It is believed the current financial climate and ill-health to key personal are to blame.

Collette Rai, of Trading Standards, said: "We can confirm that the owners are filing for bankruptcy and we have received a number of calls from out of pocket customers.

"At the moment we are waiting to find out who the receivers will be and then customers will be on the creditor list.
"If you have paid with a credit card you can claim the money back from your individual credit card company."

No one from Rascals was available for comment.
If you have bought goods from Rascals Nursery World and have not received them contact Consumer Direct on 0845 404 0506.


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