I FELT I had to put the following account of my visit to Swindon on Tuesday in writing to someone - and decided it should be yourselves.

A few weeks before Christmas I had occasion to walk from the Outlet Village across to town with my future daughter-in-law Emma and my daughter’s little girl.

Seeing a bridalwear shop and having just set the date for their wedding, Emma and I thought it would be nice to go in and have a look. As you can imagine Emma was very excited as this was her first real step towards her big day.

On entering the empty shop we were greeted with unfriendly faces challenging us as to whether we had an appointment. We explained that we had just called in while passing. I was also ordered to leave the pushchair at the door, as I could see a refurbishment was in process I presumed this was the reason why - we were begrudgingly allowed to look at a few dresses but without an appointment trying any on was out of the question.

Despite the inhospitable atmosphere Emma had seen two dresses she fell in love with so we left the shop feeling very sheepish and said we would make an appointment after Christmas to try the gowns on.

Well, on Tuesday we returned to the shop, having made the said appointment, Emma couldn’t wait to try on the two beautiful dresses we had seen. However, again we were greeted by unfriendly faces and again ordered to leave the baby and pushchair on the doormat. This time the large floor space was clear, the refurbishment having been completed. I said I preferred the pushchair to remain a little further from the door as it caused both an obstruction for anyone entering the shop, and in the case of an emergency, a safety hazard.

However, leaving it where it was, was not an option, it was on the doormat or nothing. I asked if they wanted our custom as we were being made to feel so unwelcome, and she said no and asked us to leave. On both visits to the shop both Emma and I felt we were not of the correct class status to enter their establishment - a real Pretty Woman moment.

Well, having been so excited about trying on the dresses of her dreams we both felt mortified at virtually being thrown out of the shop, the disappointment for Emma was very evident and our day was in ruins, what to do next..neither of us know Swindon well.

Spotting an employee from one of the financial houses nearby, I enquired as to where we could find any other bridal shops in Swindon, she was so nice and gave us directions to several.

Well bouquets all round, the first shop we went to, Leslie Hatcher's, could not have been more different. On entering the shop we were greeted with smiles and a genuine interest in what we were looking for.

We were offered help upstairs with the pushchair and little Libbie was then presented with a box of toys which kept her well amused. Although the shop was quite busy Sheila the advisor, invited Emma to have a good look around and try on any gown that took her eye, no appointment needed here.

Our spirits rose and we spent a wonderful afternoon in Sheila’s care concluding with Emma choosing a most beautiful gown and being made to feel very, very special which is as it should be.

So thanks to Mr Hatcher and his staff, we did leave Swindon delighted with our purchase and looking forward to returning for all the various fittings and choosing all the accessories. This shop is surely a business for Swindon to be proud of.

(Mrs) LIZ HOATHER

Teddington Gardens

Gloucester