You may notice a new sign on the front of Wine & Such recently, and we wanted to write an update to you about it before the questions come.
We are going to be leaving our location at 17 Burnt Ash Hill in January 2024. This is 100% 𝗡𝗢𝗧 something I want to do…building our three shops in just over two years is exhausting, and I put my heart and soul into the current location. I absolutely love my shop, the area, and all our customers (friends now really!) that I have gotten to know over the past year.
However, commercial leases are tough. Looking back in hindsight I would have done things differently and picked up on some red flags. But I can’t change the past.
The terms of the lease mean that we cannot operate the business as we originally planned. We made sure our lease contained a break clause and if we did not do this we would have to fulfil the entire term, which is 6 years in our case. We have decided to execute the break clause in order to protect the business and ultimately ourselves. In short, we took legal advice from several solicitors who advised us not to continue with the current property and landlord.
Unusually for a high street retailer story the store has been operating sustainably! So we are now actively on the hunt for a new unit, preferably in the Lewisham/Hither Green/Lee area, so if you know anyone looking to let out a retail unit please get in touch!
In the meantime, we are still here trading until December 31st, so stop by and get your fill of Wine & Such.
I knew opening a small business would be hard work and bring some tears, but I never imagined it would be to THIS level...nobody ever says owning a business is tough right?!?! 😂😆(actually every business owner tells you that)
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the support, business, and laughs we have had so far. See you around soon.
Steph (& Freddy)
