A woman who spent more than £4,000 on a deposit for her dream kitchen has been left "kicking" herself after the business went bust before it could be fitted.
Dawn Martinson, 72, and her friend Denise Ryan, 68, decided to go ahead with the project after spending much of their time at home through illness.
After spending a number of hours searching for the right kitchen online, the pair came across one advertised by Norwich-based Heathcote Interiors, a franchise of Dream Doors.
"We decided to visit the company's showroom in Norvic Drive," said Dawn, who lives with Denise in Loddon.
"It all seemed legitimate and the staff were really helpful.
"The owner, Mark Wilson, told us it would be around £8,200 for the kitchen and that we would have to put down a 50pc deposit."
The £4,000 bank transfer was initially rejected by Dawn's bank, Santander, as it "was to a new payee for a higher than usual sum".
But this was later processed after the 72-year-old approved the transaction.
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As soon as this was cleared, Dawn contacted Mr Wilson to let him know the funds had been deposited.
"But I never heard back," she said.
"After a few days of chasing, I looked online and saw the business had closed.
"I quickly contacted Dream Doors and they told me Heathcote Interiors had filed for insolvency.
"I asked if I could get my deposit back but they told me it was nothing to do with them."
Dawn has since raised this with Action Fraud, Santander and her local MP Richard Bacon.
And despite receiving advice from all three parties, Dawn has still not recovered her deposit.
"I'm kicking myself now for not using a credit card," she said.
"We either want the money back plus compensation or to get the kitchen we ordered fitted.
"But I won't go down without a fight."
Despite Heathcote Interiors still being listed as an active business on Companies House, Dream Doors has confirmed its closure.
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A spokesman said: "We are extremely disappointed and concerned to learn the news of their closure; we take this matter very seriously.
"We have already initiated an internal investigation regarding any potential owed monies to customers and understand we have now contacted approximately 80pc of potentially impacted parties.
"While franchisees operate their businesses independently, we are concerned about any actions that could impact customers."
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