GENEROUS Huddersfield companies have stepped in to help a great-grandmother celebrate her 80th birthday at home.
On Saturday the Examiner carried the story of Oakes woman Pamela Marshall who paid £9,550 to Birkby company Nationwide for a conservatory which was never finished.
As a result, she had cancelled plans to hold a buffet in the conservatory on her 80th birthday next month.
But another company has stepped in after her story appeared in the paper.
Sash Windows of Lockwood will complete the conservatory by plastering the floor, fitting a light and fan and fixing two damaged windows – for free.
Sales manager Jason Dickinson said: “Several of us in the office saw the article and came to the conclusion that we should help out this woman.
“It’s disgusting how she’s been treated by Nationwide.”
Sash Windows is a member of Network Veka, a trade group which tries to keep high standards in the conservatory business.
Mr Dickinson said: “Mrs Marshall’s case really highlights how important it is to go to a trustworthy company which is a member of Network Veka.”
And Mr Dickinson has also arranged for other Huddersfield companies to provide free help. David Harrison and Sons of Leeds Road will fit an electric heater while Jowett Carpets of Lockwood will carpet the conservatory.
Pamela is delighted. She said: “It’s great news, it’s really wonderful that the companies have offered to do this work for free.”
The work should be finished in time for Pamela’s 80th birthday party on October 11, meaning she can have her family round after all.
Pamela said: “I’ll be able to have a buffet in the conservatory. It will be lovely to have the event at home.”
Among the guests will be her four daughters and her great-granddaughter Leyah. The 11-year-old will travel from Toronto with her grandmother, Pamela’s daughter Fiona.
“It will be wonderful to see them,” said Pamela.
On Saturday the Examiner reported on the unfinished work at Pamela’s Crosland Road home.
She paid Nationwide Conservatories Kitchens and Windows of Beck Road in Birkby £9,500 last year to build the three-metre square conservatory, but work stopped after she paid the final instalment in October.
Pamela has complained to the company and to Trading Standards about the stoppage.
In March she took the company to the Small Claims Court to get her money back, but after getting a warrant, she was told by a bailiff that she was unlikely to get her money back as the company doesn’t own anything.
Nationwide was contacted by the Examiner prior to the original story featuring in the paper, but they declined to comment.
