A SCHOOL uniform supplier has announced it will be closing this spring, blaming a policy change that limits the number of compulsory bespoke items in schools.
The policy change came after a survey last term found that 55% of parents were either “very dissatisfied” or “dissatisfied” with the cost of uniforms, and that the majority of parents spent between £100 and £200 on uniforms per year – with some schools having as many as 17 branded items.
But Jersey Schools & Sports Kits, based at Les Quennevais Parade in St Brelade, raised concerns that the sample size of survey respondents was too small, calling it a “minority view”.
They said they had met the Education Department four times last year, including a meeting with Education Minister Inna Gardiner in September.
In a note on their website, JSSK owner Paula Shield wrote: “The new policy limits and reduces what we are allowed to sell, and we have to absorb all losses incurred when items become obsolete.
“Our business, as a result, has been devalued and we face a substantial loss in revenue when costs of operating a business and purchasing stock are spiralling.
“Further, we are unable to diversify the business, as our capital is tied up in the stock that will now be discontinued, accordingly, our ability to sell our business as a going concern in the future has been obliterated.”
She added: “We have put 14 years of blood, sweat and tears into JSSK and to have to defend our business from being made into the scapegoat for the minister’s inability to deliver on her promises, has caused no end of personal anguish, stress and heartache.”
JSSK’s owners had considered selling the business to competitors Stevenson’s or Monkhouse, according to a timeline posted on their website. However, Stevenson’s were not interested and Mrs Shield cited contract issues with Monkhouse.
The shop provides uniforms for 30 schools including Beaulieu, Bel Royal, d’Auvergne, De La Salle, First Tower, Grouville, Hautlieu, Janvrin, JCG, St John and Mont à l’Abbé and Victoria College.
JSSK have said they will close on Saturday 4 May and a closing-down sale will start on Monday 29 January.
