Peterhead Prison Museum café closes due to 'spiralling costs'
"The constant increase in food prices makes this part of the museum experience unviable"
Last updated 9th Jan 2023
Another café in the North East of Scotland has announced its closure.
The tearoom in Peterhead Prison Museum has shut down due to, with a statement from the operating trust, Admiral Gateway, saying "the constant increase in food prices makes this part of the museum experience unviable."
Energy costs have "tripled" in two months
"The cost of energy and the supply chain cost have gone through the roof", said Chairman of the Trust, Conrad Ritchie.
And there may well be fears for the museum complex as a whole due to the operating costs.
Footfall isn't an issue though, insists the Mr Ritchie.
"Energy costs within the prison museum complex have tripled since November.
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"It's not really a problem that's directly related to footfall coming through the door, it's the operating costs, that's the issue.
"We simply just cannot absorb these costs any longer, we've been absorbing them for the past eight weeks.
"We've done all we can to reduce our outgoings but we've came to sad conclusion that we can do so no longer."
Staff laid off
It's closure has also forced the trust to lay off the five members of staff that worked in the café, a decision that the chairman says was out of their control.
"It's very sad when your back's against the wall and the decision is made for you.
"I'm very disappointed for the staff. As a trust we are a small team, and it's taken a number of years to get a really good team in place.
"I really feel for the them because it's through no fault of their own that they've lost their job.
"It's never good news to deliver, but we had no choice."
Hopes for the future?
There could well be light at the end of the tunnel for the café, however, with a long-term goal to re-open it.
But that date would be almost unpredictable, according the Mr Ritchie.
"Our intention is to re-open as soon as we can, however, it's very difficult to predict when energy costs are going to come down into an acceptable and affordable level, that's the problem.
"As soon as that happens then we will for sure re-open.
"There is minimal support with the electricity relief scheme, but it doesn't scratch the surface of the problem. If your electricity bill has increased by 300% then it's a massive issue."