Shock after two Brighton firms close (From The Argus)
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Shock after two Brighton firms close
3:30pm Sunday 9th September 2012 in News By John Keenan
CLOSING: Aloka in East Street, Brighton
Mystery surrounds the closure of a shop and a spa and cafe in Brighton.
Spa and cafe Aloka, in East Street in Brighton, closed its doors today while the owners of party supplier Magic in St James’s Street have whitewashed its windows.
The owners of Magic did not return the Argus’s calls yesterday but a notice in the shop window of Aloka, which employs 12 people, compared closing its doors to the same way autumn is a “ritual that nature adheres to”.
It said this allows for “more vibrant, strong and healthy leaves to grow the following year”.
The parent company Aura Soma Products, based in Lincolnshire, filed accounts for the year ending May 31, 2011, showing profit before tax of £563,060 on a turnover of £6.9 million.
Mike Booth, chairman of the parent company, in the notice added that he was planning to open a new spa in the city but he was tight-lipped on where it will be and when it was to open.
The notice in the shop window reads: “We would like to thank all of our staff and loyal customers for a truly rewarding and enjoyable three years.
“We look forward to paving the way of our future for the Aloka Spa concept and will be sure to keep |you updated as the plans progress.
“As we watch the leaves turn from green to yellow and slowly make their way to the ground, we can’t help but feel a little synchronous here at Aloka.
“Just as autumn is a lovely annual ritual that nature adheres to, to allow for more vibrant, strong and healthy leaves to grow the following year, it is time for Aloka to close one door of her Brighton home to allow for another door to open in the near future.”
Comments(16)
Hove Actually
says...
4:31pm Sun 9 Sep 12
leobrighton
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4:33pm Sun 9 Sep 12
Maxwell's Ghost
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7:02pm Sun 9 Sep 12
chrisinbrighton
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7:06pm Sun 9 Sep 12
hubby
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7:54pm Sun 9 Sep 12
John Steed
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8:04pm Sun 9 Sep 12
george smith wrote:says it all
Just reminded me why I have never wanted to go to a spa, health farm or the similar; load of pretentious nonsense
rolivan
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11:10pm Sun 9 Sep 12
chrisinbrighton wrote:I have just watched a youtube clip of Mike Booth.My first observation was that He likes a pie or several.I think He came to the City thinking that with all of the Green Voters he would do well.What He didn't realise is that they most of them don't work so can't afford his products.
Simple no mystery the shop owner locked the door and walked away,Thats how all shops close !
In the sticks
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11:36pm Sun 9 Sep 12
More fools them.
Flippin Burghers
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10:19am Mon 10 Sep 12
brightonbunny
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12:05pm Mon 10 Sep 12
Behind every shop window, someone has made the effort to set up a business, commit to pay rent/lease, employ staff, choose products. Worried about takings on a "slow" and spent many hours thinking about their business long after closing time.
Even if they ultimately don't succeed, they have provided employment for local families, builders, decorators, suppliers and paid their business rates/taxes whilst they have been open.
Time moves on and tastes and customers change. It can be as simple as that.
Good luck to the owners with whatever they choose to do next - at least they "gave it a go".
Skidrow
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12:33pm Mon 10 Sep 12
spa301
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12:57pm Mon 10 Sep 12
brightonbunny wrote:Excellent comment.....
Hmm. Not exactly "shock" to see these businesses go, but always sad when someone's hard work and effort concludes in closure. Behind every shop window, someone has made the effort to set up a business, commit to pay rent/lease, employ staff, choose products. Worried about takings on a "slow" and spent many hours thinking about their business long after closing time. Even if they ultimately don't succeed, they have provided employment for local families, builders, decorators, suppliers and paid their business rates/taxes whilst they have been open. Time moves on and tastes and customers change. It can be as simple as that. Good luck to the owners with whatever they choose to do next - at least they "gave it a go".
So much more thoughtful than the usual negative, sneering twaddle from the usual suspects....
Flippin Burghers
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3:10pm Mon 10 Sep 12
Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit
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1:39pm Tue 11 Sep 12
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:Ha! The shop looks an ideal place to put a new Tesco's Express as well. Or maybe a Macdonalds or Starbucks ...
Should have read....we've closed because the rent is high and no one has the money anymore for hippy twaddle not even Londoners in Brighton.
leobrighton
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2:46pm Tue 11 Sep 12
george smith says...
4:04pm Sun 9 Sep 12