READERS have reacted to our front page story on Anna Sara bridal shop suddenly closing its doors to the despair of panicked brides-to-be.

The story has been viewed more than 25,000 times on our website in less than 24 hours, while a post on Facebook was shared more than 300 times and attracted scores of comments.

As the Argus reported, customers of the Commercial Street business contacted the Argus concerned that they had not received dresses, and that the owners were not responding to calls with weeks to go before some wedding dates.

Writing on social media in reaction, Rebecca Scicluna said: “The amount of trouble they gave us about my wedding dress and had the cheek to tell me to calm down when my dress still wasn’t ready two days before the wedding and it still wasn’t finished properly.

“I feel so sorry for the poor ladies they’ve put in this predicament and unfortunately it doesn’t surprise me.”

Kirsty Price also accused them of “giving other bride dress shops a bad name”.

But Jessica Crosbie took a different take. She said: “They aren’t con artists, besides on the door it says a valid reason as to why they were closed and I’m sure personal reasons don’t help but people wouldn’t put that into consideration.”

The Argus has tried repeatedly to contact the owners of the shop, without reply.

The sister of Nichola Pakau, who is due to get married on Saturday August 20, at the Celtic Manor Resort, started a Facebook group after experiencing issues with the shop.

Ms Pakau, who claims she was contacted by more than 200 others as a result of the group, says she placed a substantial deposit with the firm for her wedding dress and nine bridesmaids dresses in October 2015.

With less than four weeks to go before her big day, she said she has only received one dress and that this is ‘half-finished’.

“It’s affected my home life and work life,” said Ms Pakau. “It has just been an awful experience.”

Newport City Council’s trading standards division is currently investigating the business.

Any questions or information regarding the company can be sent to trading.standards.newport.gov.uk