THIRTEEN spas have stepped forward to bail out customers of spa chain Wax in the City that closed down in March, leaving about 4,000 customers stranded.

Forming the new Spa, Beauty and Wellness (SBW) Alliance, these spa owners with 34 outlets around the island, aim to help other spas should they fold up in the future.

The alliance, which expects more members to join them, will also serve as a watchdog for the spa industry.

Details have yet to be ironed out, but it has been reported that the association has been working with an 'appropriate insurance body and other appropriate organisations' to design an insurance policy for the alliance members.

Meanwhile, a website will be set up for the stranded Wax in the City customers to choose where they want to redeem the remainder of their packages. A cap may be imposed, depending on how many unclaimed treatments they have left. Customers need to have their original receipts for redemption.