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A high-profile hospitality business with two venues in the west of the island has ceased trading with immediate effect – despite owners doing "everything in our power to avoid this situation".
The founders of Nude Food confirmed the closure of their business in a letter to suppliers last night, saying that "tireless" efforts to secure further investment into the business had been unsuccessful.
The company, founded by Lucy Morris and Jackson Lowe, operated Nude Beach at St Aubin, which opened in 2018, and Nude Dunes, which opened at La Pulente in June this year after a lengthy project to convert a former public toilet block.
Earlier this year, the business was put up for sale, with a prospectus giving a guide price of £3.5 million for the freehold site, accompanied by the expectation that the building would be leased back to the restaurant business at an annual rent of £210,000.
The Nude Dunes site was originally flagged as a possible restaurant business in August 2014, when then-Assistant Treasury Minister Eddie Noel confirmed the Government's intention to sell the site.
Refurbishment work was started by a company owned by developer and St Brelade resident Frank Laine, with the project running across several years and being the subject to delays caused by the covid-19 pandemic.
Pictured: Screenshots of the brochure circulated to investors.
Mr Laine is no longer involved and the building was bought by Nude Food in January of this year.
In their letter, Miss Morris and Mr Lowe said: "We have been working tirelessly to secure further investment into our companies, to support our cash flow, and enable us to pay our team and importantly our longstanding suppliers.
"It is with great sadness that we have been unable to secure the investment needed from our financial partner and as a result we have been forced to make the difficult decision to cease trading with immediate effect."
The couple expressed "our deepest apologies for the impact this may have" on businesses they had worked with, adding: "We are so very sorry that it has come to this, we have done everything in our power to avoid this situation."
In recent weeks, both Nude Dunes and Nude Beach had been promoting their menus for the Christmas party season, but with Advent just a day away, these festive social occasions will not be taking place.
Last year, it was also proposed that Nude Food would take over the former 100-cover café premises at Greve de Lecq.
Pictured: An artist's impression of the Greve de Lecq proposal, as viewed from the beach. (MS Planning)
Grant Thornton has been appointed to handle the closure of the business, with further information about this process expected in due course. Express understands that efforts are being made to find new work for affected staff.
Numerous islanders shared their sadness and shock at the "tragic" closure on social media.
"Another amazing business going – this is another nail in the coffin that is Jersey," Lisa Deveau commented on Facebook.
"This is incredibly sad for the staff and customers. Nude has always been a favourite of mine, and many other islanders. Very sorry to see you go," said Siân Dawn.
Pictured: Nude Dunes was advertising its festive menus on social media.
Others shared their sadness that the news comes just one month after The Hideout – a food kiosk that had operated next door – closed its shutters after a protracted battle to stay in its long-term spot at La Pulente.
Its owner, Karl Sutton, successfully campaigned to remain open until the café was fully up and running, and a compromise was reached whereby the Hideout kiosk moved further down the access road.
The matter even reached the Royal Court, with Mr Sutton seeking judicial review of a decision by St Brelade Constable Mike Jackson not to extend the kiosk’s permit, but the two sides reached a last-minute out-of-court settlement, which extended the Hideout’s permission and saw St Brelade agree to pay Mr Sutton’s legal bill.
Pictured: The Hideout's owner, Karl Sutton.
Several islanders said on social media that they hoped the Hideout might be able to return.
"Hopefully now the Hideout can come back. It was a great little place and so good, reasonable too," said Emma Jane.
Long-running La Pulente saga to come to end with Hideout closure
Popular La Pulente kiosk given extension to stay on slipway road
'Beach-club vibe' Nude Food gets ready to open out west
Healthy beachside cabin to hit St. Aubin (2018)
Pictured top: Nude Dunes opened at La Pulente at the south end of St Ouen's Bay in June of this year.
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