A GROUP of craft sellers are calling on the owner of recently-closed The Geek Emporium to return their stock or pay what he owes. 

Stuart Gatward closed The Geek Emporium, in Waterloo Court, Andover, in October after three years, citing the culmination of various factors and situations that made it impossible for the shop to remain open. 

When the store closed, he posted on social media to thank the tight-knit community of 'geeks and fans'.

READ MORE: The Geek Emporium shop in Andover announces closure

However, at least three businesses have alleged that Mr Gatward has since failed to pay them for their stock and that he ignored them when they tried to contact him.

They also claim he did not refund for cancelled events they had paid to participate in.

One of the sellers, Lucie Nutton, who runs Junction Road Curiosities, told the Advertiser that she had been selling her handmade upcycled jewellery through The Geek Emporium for the past two years.

She said the shop holds her stock worth around £150 and owes around the same for sold items.  

She said Mr Gatward would often be difficult to contact and would sometimes go weeks without responding to her messages.

Ms Nutton said: "He is a nice guy and this is not a witch hunt. Some of the people to whom he owes money consider him as a friend, but I’m not among them. For me, this is a business and I have lost my stock and money.

“He was like the lord of geeks in the community. Younger people found that his store was a safe place to go to. But he has a responsibility to be professional.

"If he had sent a message saying he had to close, and he would make arrangements for us to collect our stock, everyone would have honoured that. That would have been enough.

“But none of us were told that the shop was closing. We found out through social media and through the Andover Advertiser." 

Another seller Wolfy Edwards, who owns Wolf Den STUDIOS, said she and Ms Nutton also went to police because Mr Gatward was not replying to their messages.

"I have given up on the money he owes me. I only want my stock back which is worth more than £150," Ms Edwards said.

She said her items like handmade bat plushies, button badges, enamel pins and art prints are still with Mr Gatward.

Another seller, Laika Orajay, said that she had paid to participate in the Andover ComicCon event that was organised by Mr Gatward.

However, the event was cancelled at the last minute, and Laika was unable to get a refund worth £80.

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She said that Mr Gatward offered to refund her payment by deducting it from the cost of a vendor spot at a different event, Geek Fest. However, Geek Fest was also cancelled.

Ms Orajay said: “Everyone is so confused about what happened and how they would get their money and stock back since all the vendors are not local; it would be more difficult for them to hear about this sudden news straightaway.”

The Advertiser contacted Mr Gatward but he did not provide a comment.