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Jarrow salon owners see red over baliffs

Nov 1 2009 by Laura Caroe, Sunday Sun

Nicola Coatsworth of Elle Beauty in Jarrow, with her husband Graham

BEAUTY salon owners have revealed how they were threatened by a bailiff . . . over a debt of less than £2.

Nicola and Graham Coatesworth were told property worth hundreds of pounds could be seized, if they didn’t cough up £1.35 in rent.

The couple, who own Elle Beauty and Absolute Bathrooms, in Jarrow, South Tyneside, claim they met the rent demand.

So they were stunned when landlords of the Viking Shopping Centre called in the bailiffs, who demanded more than £220 in costs.

Nicola, 36, said: “We were two weeks late with the rent, which is paid quarterly in advance. We got a call from a woman who threatened that if we didn’t pay, the bailiffs would be called.

“We immediately paid our rent and sent proof to the centre manager to prevent a bailiff coming round, but the next day, one turned up.

“Even though we had three different receipts from the bank as proof of our payment, he threatened to take our goods if we didn’t pay a £1.35 shortfall on rent payment and £226.58 costs.

“It was very intimidating, as he was writing down details of our goods.

“We are all small businesses around here that are finding it hard enough through the credit crunch without this happening.”

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