A Norwich couple may have to cook Christmas dinner in a ripped-out shell after their £8,500 kitchen installation was scrapped just two days before it should have been delivered.

Traci Dean, 34, and her partner Greg Oldman ripped out their kitchen in preparation for state-of-the-art units, ordered through Tesco, being delivered and installed.

But now the couple, from Wilby Road, Norwich, are having to wash dishes in the bath and live off takeaways or eat out.

They should have had the kitchen delivered yesterday but had their dreams dashed after they were contacted by contractors Mark Two just two days before the delivery date to say they would not be getting it. Miss Dean, a

clinical services manager, said: 'We have been saving hard and just finished paying the last of the kitchen costs.

'We received a phone call from Mark Two to say that Tesco had informed them that they have ceased business with them with immediate effect and have no idea where that leaves customers.

'We have had our old kitchen completely ripped out, no sink, no washing machine and no cooking facilities. I find it shocking that such a huge household name can provide poor customer service.'

Miss Dean has been told she will be getting her money back but admitted it does little to soften the blow.

She said: 'It's a relief we're going to get the money back but this was a year and a half in the making – planning and hoping – and to have it taken away at the final hurdle is quite upsetting and quite hard to deal with, especially coming up to Christmas.'

The couple have been told to expect their money back within the next 21 days but even if they do get it Miss Dean is worried she will struggle to find a replacement kitchen and get it fitted this side of Christmas.

If they do not manage to get a new kitchen fitted it will mean the couple, who have been together four years, will have to continue eating out or having takeaways and hope friends or family might take pity on them when it comes to celebrating the big day next month.

Miss Dean said: 'I don't know what we will be doing on Christmas Day now. I'm just lucky that we've got friends who can help and don't have children, because if we did it would be absolutely terrible.'

The couple are believed to be one of 1,000 paying Tesco customers across the country to be in limbo as the company is locked in 'discussions' with its contractor, Mark Two, regarding the future of its kitchen and bathroom service.

A Tesco spokesperson said: 'We have taken the decision to close our kitchen and bathroom fitting business after reviewing our relationship with Mark Two, the company which has provided the service since its launch. We are committed to ensuring we do the right thing for customers affected and are in the process of contacting all of them.

'We are working hard to get our customers a refund, or a new bathroom or kitchen.'

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