THE former manager of a podiatry clinic has apologised to customers after the store's sudden closure earlier this year. 

Helen Smith, 56, was the area manager for Shuropody on New Canal, which unexpectedly shut its doors for good on Friday, June 30. 

She received a phone call at around 4.15pm that day when she was informed that the shop would be closing immediately.

Six members of staff and two podiatrists also lost their jobs that day.

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Once the shop was closed, Helen spent the weekend helping tidy the shop and clearing out stock, and let people into the store to remove items on Saturday morning (July 1). 

She says she is owed money for the final few days of work, a six weeks' notice package worth thousands of pounds, untaken annual leave and her redundancy package, worth thousands of pounds in total.  

Helen, who lives in Longhedge, had been working for the company for around six years. 

She said: "I was absolutely devastated. I am really sorry to our customers, we had no idea that we were going to be closed so suddenly.

"I need to work, I have a mortgage on my flat, I have other expenses."  

There were several Shuropody customers who had purchased treatment plans worth hundreds of pounds that they were then not able to use because of the sudden closure, and Helen says they have not been given refunds or the chance to redeem the plans elsewhere. 

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"We have 600-plus customers just at our shop who can't get their money back.  

"I have sent several emails to managers and the higher ups at Shuropody and I have heard nothing back", Helen said. 

She added that there are other managers around the country who are suffering similar problems. 

Shuropody relocated from Catherine Street in 2022. The retailer went into administration on December 7, 2022, and was sold to a subsidiary of BAAJ Capital.

Last week Helen met with MP for Salisbury John Glen to discuss the situation. 

Salisbury Journal: MP for Salisbury John GlenMP for Salisbury John Glen (Image: N/A)

Mr Glen said: "I am concerned about the impact the abrupt manner of closing of the Shuropody shop in the city centre has had on its loyal staff. I met with the manager of six and a half years on Friday, to discuss several issues, including her disappointment that many customers have been left out of pocket having block booked treatment packages for as much as £500.

"I have written to Jas Singh, owner of BAAJ Capital, urging the company to honour the terms of redundancy agreements immediately, and I have asked that customer credit be reimbursed, so my constituents can seek this essential healthcare elsewhere."

Shuropody has been contacted for comment but did not respond.