A FUNDRAISER has been set up to help the 30 employees who lost their jobs when Nude Food suddenly ceased trading last week.
With a target of £3,000, the fund has so far raised almost £400.
The hospitality business, which specialised in healthy food, announced the immediate closure of its branches in St Brelade at La Haule (Nude Beach) and La Pulente (Nude Dunes) last Thursday.
Local recruitment company GR8 previously said that it was working with the Jersey Hospitality Association to find alternative employment and accommodation for the staff members.
Owing to the financial status of the company, former employees will have to apply for their November wages to be paid by the government’s Insolvency Benefit scheme – and these funds will probably not be paid until the new year.
The Nude Food team have now organised a fundraiser to help them navigate the unexpected job loss during the festive period.
Nude Food wrote on the fundraising page: “The team would be incredibly grateful for any kind donations at this challenging time, to help them and their families this Christmas.
“Donations will be equally distributed to the team by the former manager, Joe, who sends his sincere thanks and apologies to those who had upcoming reservations this festive period.
“The team would like to thank all the guests that dined with us at Nude Food over the years.
“We are truly gutted we didn’t get to say goodbye properly.”
Nude Food’s owners Lucy Morris and Jackson Lowe said that they had done “everything in [their] power to avoid this situation” but that they had been “unable to secure the investment needed” from a financial partner while battling increasing costs and ongoing pressures from the pandemic.
Nude Dunes opened in June following a long-running dispute between the Parish of St Brelade and the owners of seaside kiosk The Hideout, which operated on the La Pulente slipway.
Jonathan Beaty, who donated to Nude Food’s fund, commented: “So sad to hear about Nude. I know how hard everyone has worked to make it a success.
“It’s going to be a tough time for all involved so please help if you can.”
Donations can be made at: crowdfunder.co.uk/p/nude-food-team-fundraiser-1#start.
