News / Restaurants
‘Passion and enthusiasm don’t pay the bills’
The co-owner of Jamaica Street Stores has warned that they will not be the only restaurant in Bristol to close this year due to rising costs.
Friday will be the last service at the Stokes Croft restaurant after five years.
Chef and co-owner Charlie James says that he and his team are “are leaving our beautiful restaurant with a feeling of pride and accomplishment”.
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In a statement on behalf of the Jamaica Street Stores team, Charlie wrote: “It is with great sadness that we have to tell you that this Friday will be our last service at Jamaica Street Stores.
“There’s no doubt that the past few years have been tough for us in the hospitality industry, and while we have been bouncing back relatively well, the future is now looking impossible to navigate for our little local independent restaurant.
“Costs of goods have soared, energy is set to increase by at least 120%, and rent and rate relief is about to evaporate.
“This means that for me and my team, we’ll have to work harder and charge more, with no financial gain for ourselves.
“These increases have forced our hand and it’s impossible to fathom how we can justify these costs moving forward.
“Of course we love what we do, but passion and enthusiasm don’t pay the bills.
“We are incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved in the five years that we’ve been on Stokes Croft.
“Dinners, brunches, roasts and raves. Art exhibitions, album launches and 35,000 meals for people struggling through the peak of the pandemic.
“While it’s a sad time, we are 100% leaving with our head held high. No-one can take away what we’ve achieved, what we’ve created and the way we’ve made so many people happy.
“We are leaving our beautiful restaurant with a feeling of pride and accomplishment.
“A big thanks goes out to all our fab customers. Our mission was always to create a truly inclusive space, focusing on good food and drink that’s accessible to everyone.
“This resulted in the loveliest mix of customers: open, respectful and kind.
“We’ve made some great friends and had some fantastic times. You’ve really kept us going. Without you, we would have never made it this far.”
Charlie also requested that “please, please, please, if you can, go spend some money at your favourite local indie restaurant soon. I don’t think we’ll be the last to go and our world class food scene is potentially in more trouble than your smiley waiter lets on.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read more: ‘Constantly changing dining hall’ coming soon
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