Owner of Peterborough's My Baby tells of challenges that overwhelmed his business
The owner of a former baby products store in Peterborough has spoken of the tough challenge that eventually overwhelmed the business.
My Baby, which operated from premises at Peterborough Retail One, on Eye Road, and at sites in Cambridge and Norwich, went into insolvency a few weeks ago.
The collapse left some customers worried about securing refunds on products they had not received.
Alex Harper, director and owner of My Baby, which employed about five staff, said that the last year had been a challenging time for the business.
He said: “We’ve had a huge amount of issues over the last year as many small businesses have.
"Rocketing taxes such as business rates that more than doubled at our Peterborough site, energy and advertising costs going up while profit margins were shrinking.
He said: “We also saw increases to staffing costs.,
"But the most serious issue was migrant hotel protests taking place directly outside our Norwich store every weekend for the last four months seeing trade there totally decimated in recent weeks.
Mr Harper said: “We tried our absolute best to get through these issues.
"Unfortunately in recent days it became clear we just couldn’t continue, even after putting everything we could into the business.
"Once that was confirmed we closed all stores with immediate effect as is our legal responsibility.”
Following the sudden closure of the business a number of customers contacted the Peterborough Telegraph to voice worries about getting refunds for products they had already bought from My Baby.
Some told of difficulties getting in touch with representatives of the business.
Mr Harper said: “Following that we contacted every customer to inform them of the situation and have continued to answer any questions or concerns quickly and given the guidance we’ve received regarding payments.
“The majority of these claims have now been processed.
He added: “We’ve been overwhelmed with the support and understanding from so many past and present customers.
"It’s been very much appreciated.”
My Baby sold a range of products and brands from prams and strollers to cots, cribs and nursery furniture as well as bonnets, teethers, rattles, changing bags and strollers from a range of top brands such as Icklebubba and iCandy.