Sunstyle Travel Ltd, a a travel company trading from 302a and 324a Holloway Road, London, N7, has been the subject of complaints received by Islington Council. The police are investigating.
Trading Standards has received a number of complaints about Sunstyle Travel Ltd,
Sunstyle Travel Ltd is not related to the websites sunstyletravel.com and sunstylespain.co.uk - both bona fide operators.
Allegations concern holidays that people have paid for but for which the company has made no bookings. Consumers have been unable to contact the company or obtain refunds.
It is thought many of its customers are from Scotland and the North East of England where Sunstyle Travel Ltd has advertised in the local press.
People who have booked holidays through Sunstyle Travel Ltd should contact the airlines and hotels concerned before travelling, to find out whether or not their bookings are valid.
Although the company claimed that they were retail agents for ATOL holders, no such arrangement has been proved.
Complainants were asked to pay by cheque or money transfer rather than credit or debit card.
Customers who have paid by credit card may contact their credit card company for redress under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Customers who paid by cheque or direct money transfer should contact their banks to ask for their situations to be considered on an individual basis.
Complaints can be made to Consumer Direct on 08454 040506, who will forward them to Islington Trading Standards.
Cllr George Allan, Executive Member for Customer Focus said:
"Our advice to anybody booking a holiday for over £100 is to pay by credit card. Check beforehand that the travel company is ATOL bonded or has arrangements to ensure that payments made will be refunded in the case of insolvency.
"Our trading standards team are collecting information to help the police with their enquiries.
If you have bought a holiday or travel from this company and not received the tickets, please contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506."
Notes:
Trading address
Sunstyle Travel Ltd
302a & 324a Holloway Road
London
N7 6NJ
Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008