28/03/2023
LAST ORDERS PLEASE.
Time to say Goodbye...
Sadly, we are having to call last orders for a final time this Sunday April 2nd at The Bureau. I am aware that news is already out so the time is right for this post.
Sure, there will be speculation but the truth is there are many reasons for closing. Our lease is up in April and it was agreed that the business is no longer viable.
Before I took over in January 2020 we were the victims of appalling mis management and already in debt. Then Covid struck. Full rents were expected to be paid throughout lockdown.
September 2020 saw hospitality further decimated due to curfews and scare mongering.
The second lockdown of 2020/21 nearly saw us off as we received much lower government support and yes, rents were expected to be paid for the 5 months we were forcibly closed.
We reopened with social distancing measures that made trade difficult but we were hanging on.
Fast forward to Christmas 2021... a healthy diary full of bookings was destroyed by an indecisive government who told people to 'go out but don't go out' and introduced a ludicrous substantial meal policy. We lost around £40,000 that Christmas...
2022 was a disaster. Soaring costs, crippling rent debt. exorbitant energy bills left us struggling to hold on.
Looking forward to a good summer trade we were then kicked in the shins when overnight Lichfield City Council erected (without notice) scaffolding around our neighbour The Samuel Johnson Museum. We were not consulted around Health and Safety and the welfare of outside guests was not in the contractors risk assessment. So, with dust and bits of plaster falling on guests and in their food, our summer trade was destroyed and we were down nearly 50% on sales from 2021. Obviously we complained and had a 'hearing ' with late great Boomers Cafe but our concerns were summarily dismissed by LCC with no recourse to appeal. Thanks LCC - you've been great neighbours.
I struggled on but by January 2023 it was clear we couldn't survive.
With other independent hospitality businesses in Lichfield it's almost been a race to the bottom with prices and it's not sustainable.
So, there you have it. Some, but not all of the reasons we are having to close.
Please spare a thought for my amazing staff who will all be out of a job this Sunday. Brandi, Sarah, Chloe, Spence, Jaden, Louise, Sally, Jack, Kieran, Charlotte, Bobbie, Ashton, Rubens and Reuben, I'm so sorry - I really did my best. Thank you for your commitment to the Bureau and to our guests over the last three years. You are truly exceptional people.
To our wonderful guests, thank you thank you thank you, we've loved having you. We've made some wonderful friends - stay in touch. We love you. To all the wonderful dogs we've served puppiccinos and lots of cuddles to, woof, woof woof.
I'm asking you all one last favour... Come and support us this week until we close on Sunday April 2nd. There's beer to be drunk food to be eaten and amazing live music Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Come, have a blast and say farewell to us.
We're selling everything in the building - take a piece of The Bureau home with you!
Support our independent hospitality businesses in Lichfield. They need you.
Thank you for being our guest.
Caroline 💔
Visit Lichfield
