'Not enough notice' over food wholesaler closing

A Guernsey hotel manager says food wholesaler Cimandis should have given them more notice

A Guernsey hotel manager has said one month was "not enough notice" ahead of the closure of food wholesaler Cimandis.

Managing Director of Saints Bay Hotel Ashraf Elsergany said he was shocked when he received a letter stating the wholesaler was shutting down its Guernsey operations at the end of August.

Mr Elsergany said buyers should have had more notice, especially during peak season. "It was a big surprise for us to see the letter and one month is not enough notice. In any restaurant or hotel, you give three months."

Cimandis, part of the Caterfood Buying Group, said the closure came after rising shipping costs, increased rent, and the logistical challenges of operating in island markets.

"I think they chose the wrong time," he said of the closure.

'Big challenge'

However, Mr Elsergany said his business faced a "big challenge" because most items on its menu were bought from the supplier.

"We have to start thinking about what on our menu we buy from them and get similar from somewhere else and have to do sampling and testing In order to get the same quality," he said.

"You don't know if the prices will be higher or lower and it's not just the prices to worry about but also the quality."

He added: "It's going to hit the whole island really bad."

Head of hospitality in Herm, Tom Jones, who has lived on the island for 19 years, said despite there being constant challenges within the industry, its businesses would not be affected by the company's announcement.

Mr Jones said they had a contract with a local supplier called Manor Farm on Guernsey, but the closure could have a knock-on effect.

"We chose to work with a local company because they have local roots.

"The potential of Cimandis closing is that the demands on Manor Farm will be so great that it could affect their ability to continuously provide us with the levels of food and stock we require to keep our business running."

Mr Jones said he hoped Manor Farm could pick up where Cimandis left off and "be as good of a supplier to Guernsey as it is to Herm".