A popular restaurant has announced its sudden closure, claiming huge hikes in utility bills have "completely floored" the owner.
Dolly Dimples has been trading in Blyth for 16 years and in that time it has become a favourite among locals for its homecooked food - ranging from baked goods and breakfasts, to Sunday lunches, sandwiches and outside catering. But on Saturday Dawn Powell will close the business for the final time after informing her customers that "my little business can't carry on" in the current climate.
She claims that Dolly Dimples has seen an almost 500% increase in gas and electricity bills alone, putting huge pressure on the business at a time when fewer people are venturing into the town. She said: "I've fought with everything I have to keep our beautiful shop afloat in the town I love."
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Announcing the closure, Dawn added: "Words can't express how devastating this is for my amazing team at Dollys, me personally and my family."
Dawn has spent many years working in the hospitality industry and previously owned Norah Batty's sandwich shop in Blyth, before opening Dolly Dimples in the former Global Video store on Regent Street in the town. She confesses to having a huge love for Blyth and the community and when the Covid lockdown seemed imminent in March 2020 she quickly teamed up with local businesses to hatch a plan for doorstep deliveries to help some of the most vulnerable in the community.
Dawn said the business has overcome a lot in its time, including recessions and the Covid pandemic. She also spoke to ChronicleLive in 2021 about her fears that the town is being left behind and her worries about how much longer independent businesses in Blyth can sustain themselves.
But earlier this week she shared a post on Dolly Dimples' Facebook page announcing the restaurant's closure and thanking customers for their support and memories over the years.
Dawn wrote: "I'm writing this post with the heaviest heart and so much sadness.
"Next Saturday, I'll be closing the doors to Dollys for the very last time. Words can't express how devastating this is for my amazing team at Dollys, me personally and my family.
"I've fought with everything I have to keep our beautiful shop afloat in the town I love, through recession after recession, through Covid to name only a couple of challenges. But the increases in our utility bills has completely floored me. With almost a 500% increase in gas and electricity alone, my little business can't carry on.
"I want to thank every customer over the years for your support. So many great times and happy memories have been made here for all of us.
"Any buffets which have been booked will still be honoured and any vouchers will be refunded if you can pop into the shop with them.
"Our last day will be Saturday 15th July, please pop in and say hello if you're passing by.
"Finally, I want to say a huge thank you to my team. They really have been the reason for every battle I took to keep Dollys going. Paul, Danielle and Emma I'm so proud to have worked with you all over the years. Your loyalty, dedication and sheer hard work has seen us through the toughest of times as we stuck together as a work family. Thank you."
The post was met with hundreds of comments from customers saying how sad they were to hear of the restaurant's closure. One person responded to say "The town has lost the jewel of its crown", while some even took the time to share their memories of Dolly Dimples.
One person wrote: "Sorry to hear this, when we moved to Blyth we had our very first take away in our home from you, sat on the floor surrounded by paint pots and brushes. The many times we have sat in, the food and service has been great.
"You were so accommodating for my son's dedication last August, the last time I saw most of my family members. You have helped create memories in which we can't thank you enough for. Best of luck with the future, all of you!"
Another added: "Absolutely gutted for you all, I've had the pleasure of working with you over the years and what a lovely place it was to work. It’ll be an absolute miss to many xx"
A third person wrote: "It is so sad when you work so hard to keep a business going we go in nearly every day and we will miss you all so much your food your coffee and most definitely your staff can never be replaced in Blyth they are wonderful and we will miss it so much your place is the only reason we go into Blyth everyday and now we won't xx"
Fellow local business, Mister Ridley's Parlour, based in Ridley Park wrote: "From one business owner to another we at Mister Radley's want to say how very sorry we are as Dolly's was an absolutely stunning café and we want to wish you all every success."
