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16
Dec
Bakery shares reasons behind Harrogate branch closure
A Harrogate bakery has attributed its recent closure to rising costs and increased National Insurance contributions.
Sunflower Bakery last week took to social media to announce it had made the “difficult decision” to close its Montpellier Parade store after just 16 months of operating.
It came shortly after the closure of its Thirsk site, which was due to an ongoing leak at the property, but Sunflower Bakery said its Boroughbridge site would remain open.
The Stray Ferret contacted owner Kelly Days for more information at the time, but we did not receive a response, and the reasons behind the closure remained unclear – until now.
Taking to social media last night (December 15), Sunflower Bakery said there was "so much around the corner that, as a small, independent company, we could not have predicted", including "staggering increased costs of ingredients", rising staffing costs and a hike in National Insurance contributions.
It added a change of landlord and the closure of the Thirsk site also played a part in the Harrogate branch closing. The post said:
All a surprise and just too many things to sail safely through.
The love and support we have received since announcing our Harrogate closure has been astonishing and it just shows that you loved our beautiful cafe as much as we did. It wasn’t an easy decision, far from it but it was the right one.
Sunflower Bakery owner, Kelly Days, outside the Harrogate site.
The post said it was “time to restructure our family business”, but added the wholesale leg of the business is “full steam ahead”.
It also said:
I’m a strong believer that everything happens for a reason and in time it will be clear why.
Right now, though, it stings and our hearts are a little bit broken. Our team is our main concern and doing everything we can to help them, especially at Christmas time.
Health and family have to come before business and for now we will be taking a breath to reset and focus on what might be next. We have lots of ideas but for now it’s time to take a moment and appreciate the adventure we had.
Thank you for all of your messages, kindness and support - it really has meant the world.
The social media post received an outpouring of supportive comments, with many commentors saying they were sad to see the Harrogate bakery close.
One commentor said: “Sorry to be reading this. With increased rent, rates, utilities, NI [National Insurance], ingredients etc. it’s becoming more and more challenging to be in any business! Wishing you the very best!”
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