Chocolate shop closing down

by Lisa Reeves

Wednesday 22^nd March 2017

Wed 22^nd Mar 2017

A chocolate shop is preparing to close after trading in the town centre for 15 months.

Chocolates Etc on Water Lane opened in December 2015 providing bespoke favours and chocolate gifts and last year a small cafe area was incorporated at the front.

The shop was a new venture for business partners pharmacist Siba and Sevda, who previously ran a travel agency in Macclesfield.

The close friends sourced the chocolates from Lebanon, which were individually wrapped and made into special arrangements.

Chocolates Etc replaced Elspeth Mills Clothing shop which opened in October 2014.

Tags:: Chocolates Etc

Comments

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

Barry Stafford

Wednesday 22^nd March 2017 at 4:59 pm

Another poorly planned business. There is no way ,with rents and business rates these little specialist ideas,can survive. Very pretty shop,but never going to make a living. BAZ

Stuart Redgard

Thursday 23^rd March 2017 at 3:10 am

@Barry Stafford. May I ask how you know it as a "poorly planned business"? Did you actually see a copy of the business plan? Or is this statement just an assumption? Personally i think that It may have been very well planned, but executed poorly. Or it many have been very well planned and executed well, but other unforeseen circumstances mean that they now have decided to close. I just don't know which! If you do, please tell us more.

Lynne Fowler

Thursday 23^rd March 2017 at 7:58 pm

I often visit Wilmslow - my daughter lives off Water Lane - and I am familiar with the town centre and shopping areas. I like Wilmslow and the surrounding area; I live on the outskirts of London, so it feels very different, but during the week, it all seems very quiet, and I have often remarked to my daughter that I don't know how some of the businesses survive on so little trade - this shop must be a case in point, and others must be struggling?

Simon Worthington

Friday 24^th March 2017 at 7:58 am

Well planned or well executed!!! Neither. Any plan would surely have to be based on reality and the reality was that this venture was doomed from the outset. A cursory examination of costs would have indicated the volume of sales etc. necessary to turn a profit. Let's have a stab.
Rent, rates, power, insurance, wages (2), marketing,advertising ....
give or take £75,000 pa. Even if the product cost is very low this business would need to take around £2500 per week (inc VAT) to break even. Nuff said. The only winners as usual are the greedy government, council and property owner.

Steve Savage

Friday 24^th March 2017 at 9:32 am

Have to agree with Simon....whilst on the subject.....has the new sushi place opened yet?

DELETED ACCOUNT

Friday 24^th March 2017 at 10:15 am

Small shops can do very well - but the rent they pay has to be sensible.

Simon Worthington

Friday 24^th March 2017 at 12:53 pm

Steve - it looks like it has closed already. Same problem as above!!!

Michael Wooldridge

Saturday 25^th March 2017 at 11:18 am

Such a shame because the concept is very good but it was never destined to cover the overheads. Special chocs and special gifts fit well. The coffee is the best in town and did you taste the homemade cakes? Mary Berry could not have baked better. Great place for a lovely breakfast and lunch. And did you know about the Turkish Supper Clubs and more? - the Craft evenings for example. They also provided catering services. Lovely people too. But how many people knew? Chocolates etc. is a good name for this shop but I'm not sure if it was a chocolate shop, lacking identity from the outside and in.