A coffee shop in Accrington is closing its doors later this week after facing pressures from the Covid pandemic and rising energy costs.
The owner of The Black Horse Food Emporium, on Abbey Street in Accrington, will cease trading on Saturday (26 February).
Cliff Watts, who lives in Leyland, said the decision to give up the business wasn’t easy but he had to listen to his “head instead of his heart” after he used his savings to keep the business afloat.
He said: “We’ve known for a while and put our own money into it to see if the business could pick itself up. Your heart rules your head for a little while.
“We’ve been here three-and-a-half years and are very popular with some locals.
“But you have to pay the bills and if you’re paying them out of your own pocket, then your savings aren’t going to last long.”
The business, which markets itself as a “food and coffee shop experience”, was established in 2011.
Cliff, 53, took over in 2018 and said it was “thriving” before the pandemic hit in 2020.
He said: “We were thriving before the pandemic and doing very well – then lockdown hit.
“Even with the government’s help it has been a troubling time for a lot of businesses in the hospitality trade.”
As well as the pandemic, Cliff said the rising cost of living was a huge factor in his decision to leave the business.
He said: “The biggest financial increase has been electric and gas – these bills have doubled for us since September.
“Gas and electric now exceed the cost of renting the building.”
It’s not the first Accrington business to fall victim to the pandemic. Bodycare in the town’s Arndale shopping centre closed at the weekend.
Iceland and Oddie's bakery also vacated the same premises in recent months.
Cliff said: “We aren’t the only ones – and it’s getting to be a bit of an occurrence to see businesses closing in Accrington and in the Arndale.”
Cliff, who has worked in the industry since the age of 14, is worried for other businesses – especially if the proposed plans to increase VAT back to 20 per cent go ahead in April.
He said: “It’s going to be a worrying time for businesses in April if VAT rises - there’s just not enough footfall to combat the rise.
“At least we have tried to keep going for as long as we can.”
Cliff is now looking to the future and wants to thank the customers and staff who helped them to stay open for as long as they did.
He said: “We will have a lot of regulars here who will be sad to see us go.
“These customers are the reason we have stayed open for as long as we have and why we have tried to keep it going.
“My staff have been fantastic. They have stayed for a few weeks knowing we are struggling and they have stuck with us. Whatever we can do to help them, we will do.”
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