CUSTOMERS left out of pocket following the collapse of photography business Olan Mills can expect a glimmer of hope thanks to a promise made by the new management.

CUSTOMERS left out of pocket following the collapse of photography business Olan Mills can expect a glimmer of hope thanks to a promise made by the new management.

Olan Mills, based in St Matthews Street, Ipswich, fell into administration in December 2006, meaning scores of people, who had already paid for photographic sessions, lost money just before Christmas.

Statements from administrators KPMG, appointed on December 14, made it clear that any outstanding offers for photographic sessions were no longer valid and added that they did not anticipate funds being made available for any refunds.

However now the new management team have said they will honour those that bought the Watch-Me-Grow portrait package.

Manager Debbie Magill said: “We cannot honour all the losses because we are a new company and that would come under the old company.

“However if people bought Watch-Me-Grow plans before Christmas, we can honour them.”

Olan Mills were forced to close in December due to spiralling debts but reopened under new ownership in February with a new team and a different range of offers and collections.

At the time of the old company's collapse, Stour Valley Photography, near Colchester, stepped in to help, saying it would accept outstanding Olan Mills vouchers up to £50 from people who had purchased sessions from the Colchester or Ipswich branch.

Keep an eye out for a reader offer printed in The Evening Star soon.