Saturday Night Fury

Mar 30 2008 Additional Reporting By Jane Barrie

Girls Let Down By Party Firm

NAN RUSSELL was all dressed up with nowhere to go when her 70s-themed night out hit the skids at the last minute.

The firm behind the bash, Braveheart Banqueting, could not get an alcohol licence so she and her pals faced an evening sipping soft drinks in their garish retro costumes.

Braveheart apologised and promised to refund the £300 Nan and her four friends had paid.

But three months down the line there is no sign of the cash - and Nan is not alone.

Other furious customers of Braveheart and a second firm, Caterline Scotland, have similar tales.

David Dinnen and eight colleagues are £620 down to Caterline for a Manhattanthemed bash and Jackie Cain and her pals ended up £540 worse off to Braveheart.

Nan, 44, of Dalry, Ayrshire, said: "We saved for a year for our do. To have it ruined at the last minute was bad enough but now we have to fight to get our money back.

"Braveheart's attitude stinks."

The 70s night was due to take place at Glasgow Green on December 15. Braveheart called Nan the day before to say it was not as billed due to a wrangle over the drinks licence.

Glasgow councillors had ruled that the bashes encouraged binge drinking.

Barber Nan said: "We were so upset. We had hired costumes and one of the girls had splashed out £70 on an authentic 70s outfit."

Cumbernauld-based Braveheart's event went ahead without a bar but Nan was promised a refund. Yet there's still no sign of it.

David and his workmates from South Lanarkshire Council paid Caterline £620 for the Manhattan-themed night at Glasgow's Kelvingrove Park on December 21.

This event was cancelled and he was told he would get a full refund.

But David, 22, of Rutherglen, said: "Caterline's number is dead and their premises deserted. Even Trading Standards can't help."

Jackie and her group, all home care assistants with North Ayrshire Council, paid £540 up front to Braveheart. Jackie, 46, also of Dalry, finally received a cheque last week.

She said: "I was calling every other day. They probably sent me the money to get rid of me.

"We had to fork out another £360 for an alternative party."

I soon discovered Caterline bosses Carole Harkins and John Johnson used to be part of Braveheart Banqueting Limited.

The pair started up Caterline after Carole quit as a director of Braveheart in February last year.

The two firms are now totally separate.

I got on to Braveheart who promised to send Nan her cash.

Despite my best efforts, Caterline, on the other hand, could not be contacted.

There was no sign of Harkins or Johnson at the premises or at home addresses in Airdrie.

But this party's far from over.