The Mulberry Bush Café has unfortunately closed its doors today, having been open for less than 8 months.
However, the owners have said they will be back shortly with a new venture for the Bank Square premises.
Barry and Andrea Mason, who have lived in Wilmslow for many years, had been working towards delivering a quality food and beverage service along with children's play areas for around 18 months before opening on 10th December 2012.
They are hugely disappointed to be in this position after such a short period but they have vowed not to give up too easily and are determined to make a success of the premises, which was previously occupied by TheBoardroom.
Director Barry Mason said "It is with regret that the decision has been taken to close The Mulberry Bush after such a short period of time. The company will be launching a new operation from the premises on Bank Square and details about this will be announced shortly.
"We will continue to honour any party bookings over the next couple of weeks and will open especially for these bookings. Alternatively any deposits paid in advance will be returned to our customers should they wish to go elsewhere.
"No one will lose any monies paid in advance and we will be in touch with anyone concerned within the next 24 hours.
"Andrea and I are both really saddened that the concept we believed so strongly in has not worked out, however we have had to take the difficult decision to draw a line under the current operation as the demand was just not what it was hoped it would be, and therefore insufficient to support the costs of business.
"We would like to thank all of our customers for their support and look forward to welcoming you back to the new operation shortly."
Comments
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Instead of the council investing in flowers & planting pots! Invest in the independents though marketing support, contribution financially to support struggling independent shops though a credit union facility? It's a thought? I think that if the council don't give any sort of support!! then Wilmslow will become a ghost town!
The general public of wilmslow YOU must start supporting these great independents!! Otherwise you'll be left with only multiples & the coffee shops! Also the charity shops that you continue shopping in!! That's why there opening more & more in wilmslow!!
Business rates are collected by CEC on behalf of central government but they do not receive one penny of this.
Businesses do not contribute any funding to Wilmslow Town Council. The "precept" (rates) for WTC is only collected from residential dwellings (Again by CEC) and passed onto WTC by CEC.
WTC have funded the planters that you mentioned and have done this specifically because CEC were not going to do so in 2013 due to cut back in fundings from central government.
The intention of the planters was to make the town centre more "appealing" (which I think it has done) and in doing so attract more shoppers into the town centre hence bring more footfall and revenue to the businesses.
If WTC supported the retailers though Marketing I:E Map of the stores that had discount vouchers attached that went a number of homes in the area..? In bank square a map of the town centre.... it's not rocket science!
If the shops charged more for the Items sold also in a Large store down the road would we shop on the High Street ,I don't think many would unless its a Niche product
Some people have great ideas but poor business acumen.
Maybe Barry and Andrea have learned enough from this experience to develop a good business plan for their next venture.
I wish them great success. They deserve it.