Shoppers have one day left to pick up bargains at B&M as the store will close permanently tomorrow. The chain is pulling down the shutters at Broadwalk Shopping Centre in Knowle for the last time on Wednesday (March 29).
It's another nail in the coffin for the aging shopping centre as MW Freshfoods also plans to shut down next month. A lot of businesses have struggled since the coronavirus pandemic and now the cost-of-living crisis.
Last week, Diggity Doughnuts, Sprinkles Gelato, Jafra and Om Burger all decided to call curtains on their cafes and restaurants. And even big chains are falling victim to the downturn in trading, with B&M closing around five stores across the UK.
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Noda, who owns Koocha Mezze Bar, explained that it is incredibly hard for those working in the hospitality sector right now. She said: “Running a restaurant in the current cost-of-living climate is a constant struggle and the pandemic has only added to our difficulties. As a business owner, I am doing everything I can to adapt to the current climate but the reality is that it’s a difficult road ahead.”
While Carmine Montuori, who runs Taste of Napoli in the Horsefair, says he fears for his company's future amid soaring food costs. The price for a box of aubergines six months ago was £8.50 and now costs £13.
And arancini rice has doubled in price from £1.20 to £2.80 and the price of pasta has more than doubled from 40p to 89p. The price of extra virgin olive oil - essential for baking his crispy pizza bases at his restaurant - has soared from £22 to £37 for five litres.
Carmine said: "Honestly the situation is very bad because the market is very up at the minute. The problem is that each day is different you can never know."
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