A former Wilko store that reopened as a new furniture shop has suddenly closed - with some customers claiming they have been left thousands of pounds out of pocket.

Aamad Trading Ltd took over the empty site in St George’s Street, Canterbury, in March, promising “affordable luxury” as it filled the shop floor with sofas, beds, coffee tables, lamps and mirrors.

But just seven months later, a notice has appeared in the window from bailiffs acting on behalf of the landlord, Canterbury Estates Ltd, saying the building has been repossessed because it has been abandoned by the tenants, who are in rent arrears.

Several people say they have paid out for furniture they have yet to receive.

The daughter of one affected customer told KentOnline their mum has been left very upset and feels “ripped off”.

Aamad Trading boss Taz Shaikh previously told KentOnline he was “in it for the long term”, having taken on a 10-year lease for the building, which offers almost 30,000 sq ft of floor space.

It appeared to be a welcome shot in the arm for the derelict premises, with Mr Shaikh claiming it would be the first of a chain of branches of Aamad opening across the south east.

However, Rocky Singh, an agent for Canterbury Estates Ltd, says the bailiffs were called in after Aamad Trading defaulted on rent payments.

He says the deadline for settling arrears was Monday and a final bailiffs’ notice has now been sent to the tenant.

Mr Singh says he has also been working with disgruntled customers in a bid to get them the goods they are owed.

“I have had five or six contact me to say they never got their furniture. I’ve told them that if the shop does reopen, we will require the tenant to fulfil those orders or refund customers,” he said.

“If the tenant does not pay the rent arrears and return, we will allow those customers, with proof of purchase, to come and collect their furniture or equivalent.”

Alarm bells began to ring when customers started posting on social media about their experiences after the shop suddenly shut and the notice appeared on the door.

Sabrina Kemp told KentOnline that her 63-year-old mum is £1,300 poorer after handing over the cash to the store to complete the payment for a new bed and dining table.

Ms Kemp says her mum was told by staff to pay in cash as the card machine was not working.

“That was in July and they said it would be delivered in a couple of weeks but then it was excuse after excuse, every time she called or went in,” Ms Kemp said.

“Now the shop has been shut down and there is no answer on the mobile number provided.

“She can’t afford to lose that sort of money and there’s no comeback, of course, because she didn’t use her card.

“Obviously, she’s very upset and just feels she’s been ripped off.”

Liam Jackson says his 76-year-old grandmother forked out £3,000 for a pair of two-seater sofas.

“They said a month for delivery, which was fair enough, but then the excuses started,” Mr Jackson said.

“Eventually, they turned up with one three-seater sofa which was no good to her because it wouldn’t fit.

“I just told them to take it back. But it was all an ordeal although.

“She was one of the lucky ones and finally I managed to get them to refund her card.”

KentOnline has been unable to make contact with Mr Shaikh for a comment.

The Wilko store in Canterbury closed in September 2023 as the company collapsed into administration.