The owner of a popular Co Down bakery chain has urged people to support local businesses as he says dropping footfall and rising costs have left him with no choice but to close one of his stores.
Wesley Nelson set up small business The Singing Kettle Bakery in Bangor 18 years ago before opening two additional stores in 2021 and 2024.
He recently announced that his shop in the Bloomfield area of the town would be closing on Saturday, March 8, after more than three years of trading.
Mr Nelson said it had become “impossible to sustain” the three stores and that he was “gutted” to have to close the Ballyree Drive shop.
“Everybody who knows me, they know I work, work, work. All I do is try and keep the place afloat,” he told The Irish News.
“It got so bad there coming up to Christmas.
“I borrowed money so I could pay my staff. I should have closed it before, probably, but you don’t want to do that over Christmas.”
After opening his original store in Church Street amid the 2008 financial crash, he said the business grew once his daughter suggested creating a social media presence.
The expansion came along with the increase in demand and the Bloomfield store opened its doors in 2021.
A third store soon followed, along with a separate unit for baking goods.
However, Mr Nelson said that the rapid rise in expenses in recent years is “probably 80%” of the reason behind the decision to close one store as well as the baking production unit.
“In three years, my electricity has tripled – my ovens aren’t on longer,” he said.
“It was about £700 three years ago; it’s now £2,000.”
The cost of ingredients has also “doubled” over the same period.
“One bag of coconut could be £50 and the following week it could be £110. That’s happening multiple times. So, how do you judge that?”
Coupled with expenses, Mr Nelson said the lack of footfall was another deciding factor behind his decision to close his Bloomfield shop.
“Bangor in particular, I’ve never seen it so bad. There’s nobody about,” he said.
In a row of business units, he said a lot of the time he’s “the only place open” as traders around him have decided to reduce trading hours or close altogether.
“It’s just an ongoing thing,” he said.
He added that while his newest shop on High Street is his poorest performing, he has hope for the future there.
“I’m not long in there but it’s got potential because we hear that they’re starting the work on the seafront in April.”
Mr Nelson urged people to support local traders who are trying to survive in the current financial climate.
“You see the Amazon man everywhere,” he said.
“The reality is, if people don’t shop local, more businesses will be forced to close.”