A FISH pedicure store in the town centre has closed its doors after the craze hit the headlines last month amid reports that it could spread diseases.

Dr Spafish, in the Brunel Shopping Centre, closed last Wednesday after customer numbers dropped following a report in October claimed that fish pedicures could spread HIV and hepatitis C.

But following the closure, staff and customers have been left out of pocket, with workers owed hundreds of pounds in wages and shoppers unable to use their gift and loyalty cards.

Gary Bullock, a spokesman for Dr Spafish, said: “The Swindon store has had to be closed. It was making substantial losses following a sensational headline in The Sun newspaper.

“The bad press absolutely killed it. We were making substantial losses and found ourselves in a position where we weren’t able to pay staff.

“However, all the staff will be paid in full.”

The walk-in natural pedicure store in Swindon was opened in April by former mayor Rex Barnett.

The treatment involves garra rufa fish working through the build-up of hard skin on the heels and soles of the feet leaving the healthy flesh untouched.

Gary said Dr Spafish is in the legal process to go into liquidisation and that staff wages are covered by Government legislation.

“When everything is sorted out there will be a message on the website.

The website is suspended at the moment, we took it down ourselves as soon as we realised there was going to be problems.

“Obviously we didn’t want people to purchase further gift cards.

“When the website comes back it will have information for people to apply for a refund for gift cards.”

There were 14 Dr Spafish stores and all except those in Bristol, Norwich and Maid-stone have closed.

It is thought the other three will be sold but gift cards from the Swindon store can be used at the Bristol store at the moment.

“We massively regret the way things have gone because it is people’s livelihoods and it is a horrible situation to be in,” Gary said.

Some of the fish have been relocated to other stores and some have been returned to the supplier.

Former manager Tanya Ali said she is owed nearly £2,000 in wages from Dr Spafish and said she is disappointed for the customers too.

“If you look on their Facebook page you will see how many people, plus hundreds of others, have bought Gift and Loyalty cards and are unable to use them,” she said.

“I went to the town centre over the weekend and I was approached by a number of people, some understanding and some not, as they want their money back for the cards they had bought.”

People who bought gift and loyalty cards should check www.drspafish.com over the next few weeks.