Fans of a vegan doughnut shop have said they're devastated after announcing its upcoming closure. Future Doughnuts on Oxford Street has said it's "run out of ideas" and "money" to keep the business going.
"Bad news time I’m afraid, Future Doughnuts is closing Saturday 8th July. We have really, really, really tried to make things work, but we have run out of ideas and (quite frankly) money to keep going," the owners said in a statement on Instagram.
The colourful café opened in the Dings in September 2021 by Kay Stanley and Andrew Horne who "set out to open the kind of doughnut shop you’d see in a cartoon", they said at the time. The interiors were designed by illustrator Max Kemp of Shake Bristol.
Read more: Broadmead could get pop-up outdoor bar this summer
Last year, co-owner Kay said that economic uncertainty, high inflation and soaring rents mean that her business currently has "no choice but to keep pushing through” after several Bristol vegan businesses - OM burger and Jafra kitchen - closed in succession. "Our sales are down 38 per cent from this time last year, our ingredient costs have increased, and we’re paying staff more," she explained at the time.
Future Doughnuts products are 100 per cent plant-based with fillings and toppings all made on the premises using organic ingredients where possible. It also follows an ethical business model, using organic ingredients when available, buying from local suppliers, paying staff above the Bristol Living Wage, recycling as much waste as possible and using a renewable energy supplier.
It will be open as normal until Saturday, July 8 and has encouraged customers to support the team in any way they can until its final opening date. You can preorder doughnut boxes or purchase the brand's merchandise through its website.
The statement continued: "We’d love our last few weeks to be positive and busy for our lovely team. The best way to support us all is to visit in person and buy drinks while you’re there. If you know you’ll want a box please pre-order on our website (it massively helps us plan our workload). We also have merch!
"If you have vacancies please consider hiring our talented team! Giving up on a dream business is bad enough, but making six people redundant through no fault of their own is absolutely awful.
"Thanks for supporting our vegan doughnut shop, we hope to see you before the shutter comes down for the last time. We’re planning to open as normal as possible 10am-4pm Tues-Sun until Saturday 8th July."
Many fans of Future Doughnuts shared their messages of support and thanks in the comments section below.
@jamestagram said: "I'm devastated. Can we do some crowdfunding or something?!"
@aarchiving added: "Aww no, truly gutted for you guys and the Bristol vegan community. Much love to you all, thank you for the doughnuts."
@deemaeso commented: "I'm really really sorry to see this. Honestly one of my favourite places in Bristol, not just the food but the place and staff always so welcoming. I understand how difficult must have been to make this decision. Wishing you all the best for the future."
@probpatterns also said: "We were really hoping to get back there one more time. Thank you so much for being such an amazing space with the best donuts [sic] around! Good luck with everything moving forward!"
26 Oxford Street, Bristol, England BS2 0QT
Up next:
