Skin cosmetics customers in Aberdeen left out of pocket after closure
The company employed hundreds across the UK
Last updated 18th Jul 2024
Customers of a major UK cosmetics clinic are telling us they have been left in the dark about upcoming appointments following its sudden closure.
Skin, which had a store on Aberdeen’s Union Street, told service users via email on Wednesday their appointments would no longer be going ahead.
Connie Smith pre-booked eight appointments worth £800 and hasn’t yet completed the course of treatment.
She said: “Initially, I was very angry, how it was dealt with just through this email, but now I realise a lot of people have lost their jobs.
“Now, we’re going to have to think about researching and looking into alternative companies within Aberdeen or the Shire that do laser tattoo removal and the additional cost on top of that, but because of what’s happened, I don’t think that will be happening anytime soon because we’ve been left out of pocket.
“I noticed a lot of people on the local Fubar post I had put up telling me I need to get my money back, but I really do think there is no chance of getting any funding back and just to accept – just to kiss that money goodbye, because that’s it gone!”
Closure has left hundreds without a job
Skin had over 70 branches across the UK and employed more than 450 consultants, doctors, nurses and medical practitioners.
As of 5pm on Tuesday, Skin's website had been replaced by a message saying the company had "undertaken an extensive process to secure investment to enable it to continue trading but sadly we've been unsuccessful".
It added: "We recognise this outcome will have a significant impact on our team members and our customers and we are deeply sorry for the stress and inconvenience this has caused.
"We are doing all we can to address the concerns of those affected and will be contacting all clients still awaiting test results as soon as possible. All further updates will be provided on this website and when available."
Founded in 1990, the company expanded to locations in Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow as well as having 17 clinics across London.
It also owned brands including cosmetic surgery firm Harley Medical Group and skin technology company ABC Medical, whose phone lines had the same automated message.
Skin's PR agency "blindsided"
Communications firm Kendrick, which was Skin's PR agency, wrote in a post on Instagram that it was "blindsided" by the news.
The post indicated that Skin had ceased trading but that "at this time we have no information for the press and patients who are understandably reaching out to us wanting clarity on the situation".
"We have no information regarding how things are being managed by SK:N (or HMRC/debt collection), or how cancelled patient appointments/payments etc will be redressed.
"We are unfortunately in the same position as many staff and patients, and are sorry to have no news to share - this situation has blindsided us all."
Skin says it will be contacting all clients awaiting test results as soon as possible and further updates would be provided soon.