Portsmouth vegan shop Wild Thyme Wholefoods announces closure due to cost of living crisis

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VEGAN store Wild Thyme Wholefoods has announced it is to close due to problems caused by the cost-of-living crisis.

Since opening in Palmerston Road, Southsea in May 2015, the store, named Green Business of the Year at the 2018 News Business Excellence Awards, has become a leader in following ethical practices.

Run as workers’ co-operative, the store posted on social media last month that it was in financial trouble, but shared a few days later that it was ‘overwhelmed at the positive feedback’.

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However it has not been enough, as a lengthy statement on Facebook on Friday said ‘that we can no longer carry on trading as we are’.

Wild Thyme Wholefoods on Palmerston Road, Southsea
Picture by:  Malcolm Wells (180627-5850)Wild Thyme Wholefoods on Palmerston Road, Southsea
Picture by:  Malcolm Wells (180627-5850)
Wild Thyme Wholefoods on Palmerston Road, Southsea Picture by: Malcolm Wells (180627-5850)

Founder and co-director Frances Vigay told The News a combination of factors was behind the closure decision, including rising costs and declining sales and the threat of increased energy bills. In some ways the shop has fallen victim to the rising popularity of vegan diets as customers can find ranges in supermarkets without needing to seek out specialist shops.

Frances said: ‘When we founded it, it was even more of a niche at that time – it almost felt a risk being plant-based. In one way it’s brilliant that plant-based has become more mainstream, but as the supermarkets sell a lot now we have been affected.

‘It has always been more than just a shop to us – it’s been about being part of the community and building relationships.’

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Frances thanked customers and said the decision to close now was to make sure the co-operative did not get into too much debt.

The co-directors are hoping to sell off all stock and equipment before the yet-to-be-announced closing date – but also hope that someone may be interested in taking on the business as a going concern.

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Friday’s statement said: ‘It’s often been challenging to stay afloat and we cannot be an ethical and sustainable business if we’re unable to sustain ourselves. We’re heartbroken because we have a powerful vision of being a healthy food and wellness hub in the heart of the city. However, circumstances mean that we’re unable to realise this as things currently stand.

‘We’ll be closing the doors to Wild Thyme in the coming weeks and selling off everything we have so that we can pay off our debts. We cannot do this without you so please continue to shop with us. The takeaway will remain open until current items and ingredients are gone and we have lots of products left to sell in the shop.

‘We’ll announce a closing date nearer the time.’

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The directors will be looking to sell off the store’s fixtures and fittings, including fridges, freezers, coffee machine, shelving and so on, in bulk or in separate lots.

‘We still passionately believe that there’s potential for a business like Wild Thyme to thrive in Portsmouth and some of the team would like to explore this with those in the community who are interested. The current format seems to have reached a natural conclusion but this doesn’t mean that something else can’t rise from it.’

The team is looking at alternative means of keeping the name alive, including running a healthy food and drink delivery service, providing the same at events and festivals, or creating a wellness hub.

Anyone interested can contact Tamsine at [email protected].

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