Charity tea room to close due to financial loss

The tea room had been running at La Hougue Bie as part of a four-year partnership with Jersey Heritage

A charity tea room is closing at a heritage site due to it not making enough money.

Beresford Street Kitchen (BSK) employs people with learning difficulties and conditions such as autism.

The facility had been running at La Hougue Bie as part of a four-year partnership with Jersey Heritage.

Chief Executive Gabby Ellmers said the tea room staff would all continue to work for BSK.

She said: "Like many charities, Beresford Street Kitchen has been significantly impacted by increased costs and reduced funding.

"We are also struggling with the rising cost of sales and reducing profits in our social enterprise areas and have taken the decision to close La Hougue Bie Tea Rooms ahead of the winter low season."

BSK said it would be focusing its funding into its St Helier cafe.

"We are optimistic that once we navigate through these challenging times, we can continue to develop our valuable programmes to support people with learning disabilities... to reach their independence and employability goals," Ms Ellmers said.