The Baker Street Bistro and Bar inside Ramsgate’s Petticoat Lane Emporium closed without warning today (May 30) with boss Ruth Tozer saying the business was hit by cost increases and large VAT bills
Some staff say they received a message this morning telling them not to come in to work, sent by the manager who has also lost her job. Some voiced concern that they will not be paid for hours already worked.
One told The Isle of Thanet News: “Baker Street Bistro & Bar within the Petticoat Lane Emporium text (group chat) all of their staff this morning telling them not to come in to work and they will not be paid for hours already worked.”
Owner Ruth Tozer has pledged to make sure staff are paid.
She said there was zero- and in some cases less than zero- profit due to rising costs which forced the decision to fold the 10 year old business.
She said: “Unfortunately, as with many places of hospitality, we’ve had to fold the business.
“VAT is so incredibly unfair to pubs and eateries, we have high turnovers with zero profits – less than zero in some cases .
“With the increase of food costs, utilities and the wage increase, it has become impossible to continue.
“We’re all extremely disappointed with the lack of government support for small businesses. Our high streets are becoming ghost towns which has become a sad and common occurrence.
“After 10 years, Baker Street is sadly no longer viable as a limited company.
“We appreciate our staff immensely and this has come as a great shock to everyone involved. We have always prioritised wages above everything, putting ourselves into debt and resulting in this closure.
“I have informed the staff that any redundancy and holiday will be paid, I’d rather be in debt than see them without.
“I hope our unfortunate situation might raise more awareness.. Small businesses are suffering and closing left, right and centre. Something needs to change if our high streets are to continue trading.”
Accounts up to December 2024 lodged with Companies House show there were around 13 staff in total.
Staff say they understand the venue is to reopen under new management. In a post to Facebook today, which has since been removed, an announcement was made of ‘exciting changes’ with ‘a new provider,’ and signed off as ‘The New Management.’
Petticoat Lane Emporium co-founder and director Richard Tozer, who is Ruth’s husband, opened the venue in 2015. The emporium remains open.
Last month it was confirmed that the Emporium is expanding with a new site at the former Wilko store in Folkestone.
Staff have had no direct contact with the owners and were not told they would receive redundancy or holiday pay. They have not been treated well at all in this, with no warning when it is clear the owners have known for a while that they were planning to shut.
All staff have been blocked from the Facebook group so they cannot comment negatively.
The manager told them via group chat. She has also lost her job
As an update- the staff still have no contact from the owners the day after receiving a text from the manager who also got let go, so saying they ‘value their staff’ is rubbish. Disgusting behaviour. Please do not support this company going forward, there are plenty of small businesses that deserve your money and this is not one of them.
It was never much cop. Sorry to hear about the way the staff have been treated though.
Ironically the owners smallholding on the a2070 is growing exponentially so there not doing to bad for themselves at the cost of there staffs jobs