Siblings 'seething' after Goldtrail collapse (From Enfield Independent)

Siblings 'seething' after Goldtrail collapse

3:34pm Saturday 17th July 2010

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A BROTHER and sister will miss their nephew's wedding in Turkey due to the collapse of tour operator Goldtrail.

Laura North, from Green Lanes, Palmers Green, and her brother, Andrew Coleridge, from Barnet, were due to fly from Gatwick today for the family event, but will now leave on Monday.

They will miss their nephew, Andrew Richards', wedding, which takes place in Bursa tomorrow afternoon.

Ms North, 41, said: "It's a disgrace. I'm completely seething about the whole thing.

"We've looked forward to this for months and now we have to sit at home and wait. It's almost pointless going at all, but we have some family over there who we haven't seen for ages.

"What angers me the most is that there was no sign any of this was going to happen until right at the last minute. I checked the Goldtrail site yesterday and everything seemed fine.

"The whole thing is heartbreaking."

Mr Coleridge, 49, added: "It's a big shame as we're both very close to Andrew and I know he'll be gutted we're not there.

"It's not something you can plan for, so I suppose you have to take it in your stride, but it's very frustrating.

"At least we know we'll get our money back, but that doesn't make up for missing such a special occasion."

The siblings managed to rebook their flights with Thomson travel agents, but said they were left £400 out of pocket due to inflated prices.

They are among 50,000 customers affected by the collapse of Goldtrail, a Greece and Turkey specialist tour operator based in New Malden, south-west London.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has advised customers to check with their travel agent before travelling to the airport.

In a statement, the aviation regulator said: "The CAA has taken steps to protect customers booked with Goldtrail Travel Limited after the company ceased trading.

"The CAA, under its ATOL (Air Travel Organiser's Licensing) scheme, is making arrangements for customers abroad to travel home at the end of their holidays."

Are you a Goldtrail customer? Have you been affected by the tour operator's collapse? Please call 07795 305271, email rlowe@london.newsquest.co.uk or leave your comments below.

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