Customers have reacted with sadness to the news that a fruit and veg shop that quickly became a 'real gem' on one of Newcastle's most famous streets is to close, just under a year after opening. Like other independent businesses that have ceased trading so far this year, the owners of Passion4Fruit in Gosforth have said they've reached the point where it 'doesn't make sense' to stay open.
Their candid statement on making the tough call to close ended with a plea for people to 'use it or lose it,' a message that has been heard right around the North East in the last few months, as every type of business from social clubs to coffee shops have faced a battle to stay open.
A short-lived venture on the High Street
Located inside Gosforth Central, right in the middle of the suburb's famous High Street, Passion4Fruit welcomed their first customers in November last year, taking things back to the traditional by serving all manner of fruit and veg to a local community who welcomed the venture with open arms.
However, after a few too many quiet days in the shop, the team in charge at Passion4Fruit took to Facebook earlier this week to announce that they'd be shutting the doors by the end of this week. Their very honest post began: 'Very very hard to write this but unfortunately it will be our last few days trading in Gosforth this week.'
Owners' honest statement
'This has not been an easy decision to make as we put everything into creating the shop and making it look wonderful. Unfortunately the last few months just hasn’t been busy enough and with the cost of everything it just doesn’t make sense to keep it open.'
After thanking everyone who has shopped with them over the last 10 months, Passion4Fruit confirmed that this Friday and Saturday would be their final days of business, before signing off: 'I think the old saying use it or lose it might ring true here.'
Customer reaction
Passion4Fruit's owners should take great heart from the many people who rushed to share their sadness that the shop will be closing, as well as to offer support, including one customer who replied: 'So sorry to read this, I think your shop has been a great addition to Gosforth. Your staff are always friendly and helpful, they will all be a miss. A very sad loss to the shopping centre and Gosforth.'
