A mum and daughter who run a juice bar and cafe have decided to close for two weeks to consider the future of the business. Wendy Baird and her daughter Abigail run Tree in Newark, which combines healthy eating and drinking with massages and a sauna.
The well-being side of the business and outside catering are doing well and remain open as normal but Wendy said they're not ashamed to admit the juice bar is struggling. She said: "It's tough out there and, I know you've heard it all before, if people don't start using the independents there won't be any left and the chains will be the only choices. Then it will be too late."
The juice bar, which also sells coffee, smoothies, sourdough toast, salad bowls, baguettes and sweet treats, is failing to break even at the moment.
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Wendy, who has worked in hospitality for decades and used to run The Picnic Basket in Nottingham, said: "Unfortunately the bank holidays are not good for our business so with Easter followed so quickly by two bank holidays, people are spending on days outside of Newark, not visiting Newark, which I find staggering considering it's such a beautiful town. It should be jam-packed full of tourists visiting the historic sites and beautiful architecture and the river.
"The cost of living crisis is definitely having an impact throughout the industry. Higher costs and lower takings are a dreadful combination."
Tree, which is based in Stodman Street, informed customers of their decision on Facebook. The message said: "Depressing announcement coming through...
"The juice bar will be closed for the next 2 weeks whilst we have a rethink of how we will continue to keep going, the wellbeing parts of Tree are going from strength to strength and our corporate offerings, treatments and sauna are doing incredible but the weight of the juice bar is crippling. Wage increases, inflation, energy and food costs are a constant juggle, we’re a small town but we just can’t compete with the big names.
"We recognise how important looking after your wellbeing is and we’re not ashamed to admit we are struggling, as well as the stress of how we will keep the juice bar going we’ve had multiple personal circumstances happen in the last 18 months and as mother and daughter it’s impossible that when one of us is low that the other isn’t impacted in some way too.
"We love what we’ve created but we really do need to get our thinking caps on and to do so we need to take a complete break. "Thank you to all our loyal customers, we wouldn’t be here at all without you."
Tree will still be opening on May 20 for drinks and cakes on its menopause open day.
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