A Dundee family has been left reeling following a string of unfortunate events related to the coronavirus.
Mike Strachan has seen his business close, his son’s wedding in China cancelled, the rescheduled marriage in Dundee cancelled and he being hit with a £395 bill after cancelling the bus to the stag party in Glasgow.
Mr Strachan, 57, who lives in Castle Huntly, said the run of bad luck has made him all the more determined to enjoy his 26-year-old son Dean’s wedding when it finally happens.
Dean has been living and teaching in China for the past two years and met his fiancé Feng Rui Xue there.
Mr Strachan said: “The original plan was for Dean to get married in China in August but this was put on hold as they couldn’t get back to China, after being on vacation here, due to the outbreak of coronavirus.
“However because they were here they decided to reverse the plan and get married in Dundee at the Queen’s Hotel on March 27.
“We had already paid a deposit of £95 and the balance of £300 from SMC Coach Hire to take 12 of us to Glasgow for the stag do.
“The Dundee wedding plan backfired and is having to be postponed and after the government statement about non-essential travel we decided it prudent to cancel the stag do.
“My first email to the company explained this and asked if possible due to circumstances we would be willing to forfeit our deposit however felt in this current climate we should be given our £300 back as we are not using their service.
“They refused on the basis of their terms and conditions.”
“As a businessman of 33 years I find it incredible that a national transport company feels the need to adhere to terms and conditions under these extreme times and do not apply common sense.
“However, as you will be aware, common sense isn’t so common.”
Mr Strachan was then forced to close the popular Beiderbeckes Bistro in Dundee.
Co-owned by Mr Strachan and Bob Colston, the Brook Street restaurant is shutting its doors to visiting customers to protect staff and customers from potential illness.
They have instead come up with a home delivery plan which it is hoped will be operating by the weekend.
Mr Strachan and Mr Colston said the announcement had been met with a supportive reaction.
The small business employs five or six staff and a couple of casual workers and the move will at least give key workers the opportunity to keep a job and give them a wage.
Mr Strachan said Dean still intends to get married in China once the travel restrictions are waived.
He said travelling there to watch his son tie the knot would provide some light at the end of the tunnel.
Manchester-based SMC Coach Hire said it was acting as per its terms and conditions.
Marcela Lins, client relations manager, said: “We understand the current situation, however, all our trips are going ahead as normal and businesses are still open as usual.”
