Petty Debts action against Cafe Amiti's former management

Tuesday 08 May 2018

The company which used to run the privately leased restaurant facility at one of Guernsey's extra care homes has been taken to Petty Debts by Social Security.

Doughlicious Ltd was until last month operating Cafe Amiti at La Nouvelle Maritaine.

It has now been confirmed that at a recent Petty Debts court hearing judgement with costs was awarded to Social Security for £7,299.33.

Pictured: Doughlicious doughnuts. Image from the firm's Facebook page

La Nouvelle Maritaine is an extra care housing facility which was built by the States of Guernsey to replace the previous Maison Maritaine. The States describe extra care housing as designed to help people live "as independently as possible with the confidence of being in a safe environment with a flexible, tailored package of care and support offered by trained staff."

La Nouvelle Maritaine is managed by the Guernsey Housing Association and when its onsite restaurant closed without notice, the GHA told Express that it was "unexpected" and that staff were only made aware of the situation when the facility had already closed.

Residents also told Express that the closure was sudden with very little warning. Mrs Beryl Le Feuvre said they received letters advising them of a meeting where residents were told that Cafe Amiti had shut. She said she and some other residents read their letters too late to attend the meeting so they only found out about the closure after it had happened.

Mrs Le Feuvre said she is lucky that she is able to cook for herself and goes out but other residents do rely on it. "I don't go very often but some people in wheelchairs do because they don't find it as easy to go out and that was a handy place to go" she said. "I have eaten there before but not as often as some of the others and I do feel sorry for them."

Another resident who wished to remain anonymous was more concerned about the closure, saying she had eaten there quite often. "I'm not sure when it is going to reopen but I hope it is soon. I eat there a few times a week as it saves me cooking for myself and I can't go out food shopping like I used to do."

Last month; Steve Williams, the GHA Chief Executive, said a tender process was underway to find a new lease holder so the restaurant can reopen as soon as possible: 

"We have had this existing cafe operator for over 17 months but it has not worked out for both parties so we will be looking for a new cafe business. We will want someone with a track record in running a cafe successfully and if interested they can contact me, or Peter Van de Velde at Rock Commercial agents."

At the time, Mr Williams said most residents were able to cope by themselves without the restaurant facility being open, and those who do need help were receiving it from staff on site. "Every flat has its own kitchen so residents or family or friends can prepare meals themselves, so they are not dependent on the cafe. Around six residents do need help short term in provision of meals and the HSC care and support staff are rallying round to help along with families and friends, which is excellent."

The closure of Cafe Amiti was not believed to have caused any problems in the short term with an arrangement put in place with another cafe to supply meals once the Cafe Amiti kitchen is vacated.