Simon Dunn thanks customers after emotional closure

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Simon Dunn Chocolatier has closed its doors this weekend much to the surprise and disappointment of many local customers.

Simon Dunn, who has built his family business over 25 years with the help of his wife Anne, daughter Camilla and son Oliver, has taken the difficult decision to close their store on Alderley Road.

In a letter to his customers Simon said "It is with deep sadness I have had to cease trading from this wonderful shop."

He goes on to explain that whilst the shop may appear "busy, popular and good" once the VAT, rent and rates, wages, electricity, insurance, telephone, bins and bank charges are all paid and the ingredients purchased there was no profit left for the family.

He added "I have been very lucky as everyone who has ever worked for me has always stood by me and down their best, without these maybe this could have happened sooner.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank my amazing customers. I hope you understand and will continue to buy my chocolates which will still be available online at simondunnchocolates.co.uk or email [email protected]."

Simon Dunn's chocolates will also still be available to buy from their recently opened shop on Chestergate, Macclesfield which is run by his daughter Camilla and son-in-law Andy as well as their other stores including Hazel Grove and Chorlton.

Simon added "Hope to see you all around soon and once again thank you from myself and my wife Anne (I hoped to have told you about this prior to closing but was always too emotional to do this).

"Any orders of large quantities of chocolates we will be happy to deliver locally, also we will be contacting customers who have placed orders for collection so don't worry we haven't disappeared."

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Simon Dunn
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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Dave Byrne
Sunday 28th July 2013 at 12:24 pm
Such a shame it has closed although now there is at least another space for a charity shop !?!!
Sarah Walters
Sunday 28th July 2013 at 1:26 pm
Such a shame - they were always supporting the community, and we (the community) couldn't do enough to support another local trader to stay in business :( Hope to still see them at local events - coffee won't be the same without a choc frog in Wilmslow :(

May your other shops thrive & continue for many more generations.
Erik Garner
Sunday 28th July 2013 at 4:23 pm
I am so sad to hear this news. Simon Dunn is an iconic shop on our high street. They will be very much missed. I wish such a lovely family all the very best of luck in the future.
There are dozens of coffee shops in Wilmslow and this was one of the very best.
Aidan Killoran
Sunday 28th July 2013 at 7:18 pm
Sad that another shop close's blaming the rent, rates,wages and vat which just take the guts out of running a retail store these days,you need deep pockets even the multiples close outlets GBK , to name but one recently and my guess is that Wilmslow high street probably has many more who would just love to off load their lease's,just a thought !
Sally Hoare
Sunday 28th July 2013 at 8:12 pm
So sorry to hear this news. Just loved the hot chocolate drink. Is there any hope for the small family traders in Wilmslow?
Brian Jackson
Sunday 28th July 2013 at 10:47 pm
So sad to see them going. That was one of the glorious shops on our high street. The way things are going in terms of business rates etc, I see more and more shops closing down in the future. Unfortunately.
Peter Spencer
Monday 29th July 2013 at 7:25 am
What on Earth, where did this come from? Yet another shop closing saying it's too expensive to do buisiness here.
As Dave said, at least we can now accomadate another charity shop.
Soon I imagine Grove street will charity shops on both sides and Shelter patrolling the middle.
Richard Walker
Monday 29th July 2013 at 3:58 pm
Real shame. Wilmslow isn't half the place it used to be! Soon all you will be be able buy is second hand clothes & coffee!! Unless your loaded of course, then its a Rolex & an Aston Martin!
Dave Cash
Tuesday 30th July 2013 at 1:26 am
Wilmslow shop owners have complained about high rents and business rate valuations for many years - with some justification. The Valuation Office Agency are due to re-assess business rateable values nationally, for implementation in 2015. The actual 'rate' is set by the local Authority (CEC).

It is sad to see any popular Wilmslow business close but I assume Simon Dunn made a business decision based on income/expenditure in Wilmslow and perhaps influenced by opening a new shop in Macc and the increase in pavement cafes in Wilmslow. He is also following the current High St trend by providing an on-line outlet for his bespoke chocs.
Sorry to see you go but a pragmatic decision.

Several new retail outlets have opened in Wilmslow over the last year, inc one in an ex Charity shop! Some new local retailers in the Town have been encouraged to open by their success at the monthly Artisan Market.

Charity shops may help landlords avoid business rates but IMO they are preferable to pay day loan shops & those that buy unwanted gold jewellery for virtually scrap valuations, though all may find a market in Wilmslow.
Heddy Ghazizadeh
Tuesday 30th July 2013 at 8:42 am
Yet again a family run business is force to close as the multinational chains move to the area with their deep pockets . Competition is healthy but there is a limited number of customers who are supporting the local restaurants and coffe shops in an over saturated market .Great shame,good luck Simon Dunn.
Julian Barlow
Tuesday 30th July 2013 at 1:42 pm
Perhaps if the prosperity of the council's coffers were directly linked to the success of the businesses in the area, they'd be less enthusiastic with the red tape and more imaginative in helping businesses develop.
Barry Stafford
Tuesday 30th July 2013 at 4:11 pm
I am sad for Simon, but the Council have so much to blame here.They allowed another coffee/cake shop two doors down (was estate agent).This must be the last straw.We have 16 coffee shops now.People are loyal to Costa,or Nero, or Delice etc. They cant all make a living.At one time the councils only allowed one of each profession.Butcher,greengrocer,cafe,etc. Greedy landowners now get planning permission so easily.To be honest,some of the so called coffee is terrible.
Tracey Horne
Tuesday 30th July 2013 at 4:18 pm
my kiddies will be so disappointed - we didn't buy huge amounts but were regulars xx such a shame :(
Heidi Sumner
Tuesday 30th July 2013 at 6:02 pm
Very, very sad. And for those of us who knew and loved Wilmslow when it was full of independent, eclectic family businesses, a real blow for any hope of a return to those days. I dread to think what will take the retail space left behind. Please let it be an independent retailer, something creative and worthwhile.
Aidan Killoran
Tuesday 30th July 2013 at 8:43 pm
I think that all these comments say it all The High St is slowly closing down loosing what they used to be a place where we could buy most things at good prices but we want free parking big choice etc and the high street can't offer these things anymore due so we all go to the out of town shopping centres and also the internet?
It seems the only one's doing well are High end Retail and let's face it as money gets tighter even middle big earners are drawing in their belts I think the High Street should bring in Rather than charity shops etc why not go back to when People lived in a Town in Property alongside shops as they still do In lots of parts of London, Kings Road Chelsea where I lived for 4 years had its shops,flats house's a real nice mix and always such as buzz its great to live with a real mix of things as it brings in a different vibe to an area.
Rachel Justin
Tuesday 30th July 2013 at 10:35 pm
Can totally sympathise, as having had a business in wilmslow town centre, the rates and rent are unrealistic! Sadly our town is filling up with just Charity Shops! End of another era xxx
Helen Yates
Wednesday 31st July 2013 at 8:00 pm
What a great, great shame for Wilmslow centre, independents who source locally and for all us chocolate lovers. The letter on you door is very telling - those rates & rents are appalling.

Simon Dunn's, you will be really missed.
Emma Gilligan
Wednesday 31st July 2013 at 9:18 pm
Such a shame. Good luck with your other ventures Simon and family. I myself run a family business and know only too well the crippling factors and expenses brought upon us by the councils. Times are hard we must support our local ventures otherwise we have no right to complain as to the variety of shops.
Julia Prestbury
Thursday 1st August 2013 at 12:10 pm
Could somebody just clarify please - if retailers are having to close because of the huge rents etc, how come charity shops can open? Do they pay less? Thanks.
Simon Worthington
Friday 2nd August 2013 at 4:21 pm
Charity shop pay reduced rates and little wages as they "employ" volunteers and generally have little stock costs. They should be limited to a proportion of the local number of genuine retail shops.
If we analyse Simon Dunn's figures we can see where our cash goes. In his case around 18% to greedy landlords who rarely maintain their property (cast your eyes around the first floor level of most local shops) 7% tax (rates) 16.7% VAT plus further tax contributions via wages and NI. If Simon had takings of an extra £200 per week for himself, after VAT, tax and NI he would have been left with £4885 as a 20% taxpayer or £4166 as a 40% taxpayer per annum. Is it any wonder that the high street retailer struggles to make business pay or that retail prices have to be so high when the various vultures want their share first? If you wonder what National Insurance is supposed to pay for, research, and then ask why our pensioners are under attack after contributing all their lives to funds for Governments to waste.
Tipping point approaches faster and faster!!!