Jobs go as bakery chain closes
Wednesday 9th December 2009, 3:01PM GMT.
Croissant Gourmet in Queen Street
NEARLY 20 Islanders will lose their jobs today when a chain of bakeries switches off its ovens for the final time.
Croissant Gourmet, formerly Tanner’s Bakery, is closing its four outlets in Queen Street, Bath Street, the Central Market and Quennevais Parade, leaving 18 staff unemployed and two owners facing severe losses.
Co-owner Bobby Lapidus said that he and his staff were devastated, but said that the recession had sealed their fate.
‘It’s a real shame, but it’s been obvious since the downturn that trading has been more difficult,’ he said. ‘We have worked so hard for nine years and it’s all just gone. It’s only just starting to sink in.
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It would be interesting to know if their leases meant rising (and perhaps extortionate rents) when turnover was down. There are a lot of high rents around there; the rental market for shops does not seem to have entered the real world of the recession yet.
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how very sad, the staff were nice, the products good.
the loss of these shops will make town look a bit of a ghost town.
another 18 people to queue up in the social.
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We get news like this and in the same paper Deputy Geoff Southern is demanding pay rises for civil servants. When are states members going to wake up for a change?
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Yes rents are high reflecting un realistic property values in a recession which may effect other areas.Also there is more competition out there combined with less spending.
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Matt, I couldn’t agree with you more. Our civil servants need to realize how tough it is in the real world – as demonstrated by this sad news – and stop bleating about pay rises for the forseable future. What are they going to do if they don’t get a pay rise ? Leave ?! Our politicians need to stand firm.
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Shame but it’s the little luxuries you cut back on in a recession, like the croissant on the way to the office or the pain chocolate. Even lunchtime sandwiches are being made at home. We seem to have lost so many bakerise over the years, Mr B’s ( nominal loss ) Le Boulangerie Le Flohic ( good range and nice pies ) and now Croissant Gourmet.
I feel sorry for the staff losing their jobs especially at this time of year, hope they find something soon. I agree with Matt’s comment, states employees should take heed what is happening outside of their little bubble.
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This story supports my letter re importing competion such as the French Market this weekend.
A company I dealt with in the past now goes to UK for their goods,cheaper rents,labour etc but I have to buy their product (electricity) as I have no where else to go for it unlike them.
Think Twice buy local!!!
do not think this slogan is working too well with some people/companys.
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“…There are a lot of high rents around there; the rental market for shops does not seem to have entered the real world of the recession yet…”
There are a lot of high rents about, but they knew that when they moved in and signed up.
If they’re struggling due to poor sales that’s a shame, but it’s business.
Last time I saw the rents for the Central Market shops they were very cheap, comparatively, so if it were my business I’d be looking to keep that shop at least, and maybe close just the loss-making shops…
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I have enjoyed many visits with my children for a coffee and a scone.
Real shame for everyone involved. Good luck to all the staff.
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As a former employee of Croissant Gourmet i am very sad to hear the news.
I hope that the employees find jobs elsewhere
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J Lamborrari,
They knew what the rents were when they moved in but did they know the whole world was going to get turned upside down financially a couple of months later!
You stated this “If they’re struggling due to poor sales that’s a shame, but it’s business”
Are they complaing about competition no, have they apologised to evreyone yes. Could they have gone on longer but run up even more debts to creditors yes. Did they do the right thing yes.
You say if it was your business you would just close the loss making shops, how can you do this when you would still have to pay the leases on them but without any income on them!!
People have lost jobs and money and isnt fare to brush off as its just business.
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@ annoyed #11
“…but did they know the whole world was going to get turned upside down financially a couple of months later!…”
Probably not; but they must’ve been aware of the risk it could, or that any number of other events could happen that would effect their business.
“…You say if it was your business you would just close the loss making shops, how can you do this when you would still have to pay the leases on them but without any income on them!!…”
Obviously you can only do this through negotiation, but if you can show your creditors they’ll lose less money by allowing you to downsize, but remaining trading then you have a chance, also it depends on how you’ve structured your business. Right now they’re still in the same position of having to pay for lease without income from those shops, or even the profitable shops!
“…People have lost jobs and money and isnt fare to brush off as its just business…”
It’s perfectly fair to say this, as from the facts before us this is purely a business decision. I’m not and never have said it’s not a sorry state of affairs, and I do feel sorry for anybody who suffers because of it, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fair.
My original post sought to blame nobody, just circumstance; do you disagree?
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Over the past 10 ‘boom’ years so many of this type of shop have appeared in town. There are just too many, people are cutting back and an realising that you can spend a huge amount of money on that take away coffee and sandwhich and making their own at home.
I am afraid there are too many clothes shops as well ………..
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