A West Belfast woman has hailed the kindness of her community after she was thrown a lifeline just days after announcing she would be closing her business.
Gráinne Carson opened Patisserie G on Beechmount Avenue in August 2021, serving hot and cold food and drinks, as well as hosting a range of clubs for local children, including breakfast club and book club. Last week, she made the difficult decision to announce Patisserie G's closure due to the increase in electricity.
But in an incredible turn of events, a local family stepped in, throwing Gráinne a major lifeline - offering to pay the electricity bills so that Patisserie could remain open.
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Sharing the news on Facebook, she said: "I’m a true believer in pay it forward. Whether it’s someone at the checkout in front a bit short of their bill or just helping someone out. I was all set to close the Patisserie on Saturday, heartbroken not just because of the work I put in everyday but the people I’d be letting down with breakfast club, the ones who come in just to off load because there’s no one at home, the kids entrepreneurs club, book club, our regulars, the women's group, even the good old Liverpool supporters I can now finally get my own back on - last season I was mocked daily!
"I got a message and phone call from the son of a man who was born into Amcomri Street. He is now the CEO of a major company. The Amcomri Group. The McGowans are willing to pay our electricity bills and keep the Patisserie open. I went from emotional thanking him to 'is this a joke' to 'whoa… no thank you is big enough'.
"It’s been a roller-coaster. A few of my adorable customers have pointed out last week how tired I looked, polite way of saying 'Gráinne you look shocking hun'. So I’m taking this week off to recharge, breathe and do some work in the Patisserie that needs sorted.
"A massive thank you to everyone who bought gifts and donations. I’m actually cut to the bone because they were for closing and they turned into staying open gifts. As if I’m not socially awkward enough receiving gifts but thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Patisserie G will reopen on Monday, October 3 with all classes back on - that includes breakfast club, Halloween decorating classes and the young entrepreneurs club on Halloween week.
"How incredible to those kids in the club to have someone like McGowans to look up too?" Gráinne added.
"Never be afraid to reach further than the stars I said from the first day in the entrepreneurs club, it doesn’t matter where you live, with hard work and dedication you can be anything you want to be.
"I went ahead with the goodbye/staying open party on Saturday and again thank you so much for the turn out. If it was closing I’d have been in tears with all you there. Like I’ve said a hundred time, that place needs its own reality show but to be able to tell everyone I was staying open with the help was incredible and the kids cheering.
"I was told from I was no age that I’d cry for the ducks going barefoot - but really what a turn of events. Now for the government to get to work and bring those electricity companies under control."
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