Cimandis closure 'will hit all Alderney restaurants'

Cimandis said the closure would result in about 39 job losses

A restaurateur in Alderney has expressed her concerns about the closure of food wholesaler Cimandis.

Gloria O'Toole, who runs Cantina, said it would affect her restaurant and "probably every business on the island".

Cimandis announced on Monday that it would shut down its Guernsey operations with the loss of 39 jobs at the end of August, just weeks after closing its Jersey depot. The closure will also end Cimandis' services in Alderney, Herm and Sark.

It put the decision down to rising shipping costs, increased rent, and the logistical challenges of operating in island markets.

The news comes as the island prepares to host Alderney Week - its biggest event of the year.

Ms O'Toole said: "We might get away with Alderney Week. But after that we've got events, we've got Christmas parties, we've got Halloween we've got all these other things which we're not going to be able to discuss.

"If we get another supplier, we will get one order per week and that's not enough.

"We're all thinking 'what are we going to do? Where are we going to get our stuff from?'."

Ms O'Toole suggested that the island might have to come together to create a co-operative to store goods but is still hoping that another business will step in.

"Somebody must see it as a business opportunity surely," she added.

Cimandis has pledged to support customers during the transition, including running stock clearance sales to help food operators through the summer.

States of Guernsey said Cimandis was a supplier for the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, the prison, and Alderney Hospital.

It said "steps have been taken to ensure any disruption is minimised".