ANXIOUS customers flocked to a Chatteris shop which has closed temporarily, leaving customers without the flooring and furniture they have paid for. On Tuesday police were called to Direct Interiors UK as irate customers demanded their money back. Council

ANXIOUS customers flocked to a Chatteris shop which has closed temporarily, leaving customers without the flooring and furniture they have paid for.

On Tuesday police were called to Direct Interiors UK as irate customers demanded their money back.

Councillor Sue Elam, the mayor of Chatteris, officially opened the business in July. Mrs Elam and her husband, Brian, were among the first to place an order - nine weeks and £350 later they are still waiting for their laminate flooring.

Owner Simon Crowson claims he is an innocent victim of terrible circumstances - he was involved in a car accident caused by him suffering a heart attack.

In a notice in the window of Direct Interiors UK in West Park Street, he has pledged to give customers the option of eventually having work completed or their deposits repaid.

Mr Crowson of Hartford, Huntingdon, said in the notice: "I can honestly say that after investing my life savings and working my butt off to get the shop established, I am not going to close down or just leave it."

He ends his notice by saying he wants to be left alone to recover.

Mr Elam said: "We have been living out of boxes all that time. We have been fobbed off time and time again. You feel as if you are dossing in your own house.

"I feel as if he has abused the Chatteris community. There are people who are waiting for beds and sofas. They have done away with their old things and have got nothing to replace them."

On Tuesday Mr Elam says customers were told Mr Crowson would be at the shop at 9am next Wednesday to pay money back.

Mr Elam said: "If we all get together I think we will have a better chance of getting our money back."

Councillor Florence Newell said she was concerned by reports that people were owed money by the sudden closure.

She said: "What I am worried about more and more is the amount of money some people have handed over in deposits - I have heard the case of one lady paying over £7,000. This seems an awful lot of money and no wonder people are worried."

n Customers can contact Mr Elam, tel 01354 692573.