Sabden: The Wellsprings worried about future after food bill doubles

Zak Marhraoui, owner of The Wellsprings in Sabden, says his weekly food shop has increased from £600 to £1,200 and the price of “nearly everything” has doubled, if not trebled.

Zak is using his savings to keep the business going until he can think of a solution.

He posted a video of his visit to a wholesaler and says tinned tomato prices have jumped by more than £10 while cooking oil prices have risen from around £14 to £36.99.

He said: “I spoke to the wholesaler about this and they said the price increase is due to a shortage of drivers and stock, as well as Brexit.

“It’s unbelievable. Who has made the decision to put prices up like this? It is just ridiculous.

“The price of nearly everything has doubled or trebled. Every day something increases in price with no explanation.

“It’s no wonder businesses are struggling.”

Zak Marhraoui, owner of The Wellsprings in Sabden (Image: Zak Marhraoui)

Zak said prices at the restaurant haven’t increased yet adding that the business has been trying to cut costs elsewhere.

Zak said: “We can’t put our prices up because it will stop people from coming in.

“Instead we are just trying to cut down wherever we can. We have reduced the number of staff, turned off lights, cut our opening hours and more.

“We are trying to stay positive but we are just always worrying and constantly thinking about how to survive and what will happen in the future."

Zak has urged the government to step in and help before the industry collapses.

He said: “With the soaring food bills and energy prices, which will increase by £3,000 in summer, we just don’t know where we are going to end up.

“We don’t know what 2023 is going to bring but if things don’t change I can see a lot of businesses closing down.

“We are using our savings to stay afloat until we decide what we are going to do next. Somebody in the government needs to step up and help.

“It’s no wonder businesses are closing down.

“We don’t know what 2023 is going to bring but if things don’t change I can see a lot of businesses closing down.”

On top of his food bill worries, Zak is also in a battle with the Home Office to stop his mum,  Rhimou Satter being deported.

• READ MORE: Sabden man heartbroken by Home Office's decision to deport mum

In November, Zak said his 74-year-old mum was will be sent back to the northern coastal city of Tangier to “spend the rest of her life alone” if their appeal is unsuccessful.

Zak said he is yet to receive an update from the Home Office about the appeal.