Big Bear Bakery owner speaks out as Glasgow restaurant closures soar

Big Bear Bakery on Sinclair Drive has long been known in the Southside for its exceptional treats and a consistent queue of customers outside its shop.

Ian Pediani, 45, who co-owns the bakery with his wife Dominique Pediani, was shocked when busy neighbouring cafe Sinclairs announced its permanent closure.

Ian said: "I think it's really sad to see.

"It came out of the blue because I would always see them really busy and it just was not enough to keep it going.

"People are just not spending during the week like they used to."

READ MORE: Cafe boss opens up about 'heartbreaking' closure despite steady footfall

Both businesses and customers are feeling the squeeze.

The combination of decreased spending power and mounting costs for small food and drink businesses are causing Glasgow restaurant closures to soar.

Ian said: “We've seen it as well. Our [customer] spend is down £2 a head from this time last year.

“The costs are just going through the roof for us in terms of all the raw ingredients and all the energy costs.

"People just don't have money to spend. We are getting hammered for pricing right across the board."

Ian, who has been working in the hospitality industry for more than 15 years, says he has "never seen anything like it".

He told the Glasgow Times: “I can see why people are going 'enough is enough'.

"Every few days, somebody is throwing in the towel.

“Our business has changed so dramatically in the space of one year.

“It's incredible how much less money we're making compared to this time last year."

READ MORE: 'I stand in the queues to hear feedback': The owner of Glasgow's Big Bear bakery tells his story

Energy costs for the bakery have spiralled more than 400% and food costs have doubled.

Ian added: “I can't see the price of our ingredients coming down anytime soon, it’s just not happening.

"Eggs have doubled in price, butter has doubled in price, cream has tripled in price.

"Every single product we buy has jumped up by about 50% and power has gone up around 400%.

“It's just completely not attainable for people to stay open in this climate."

Ian claims that there is not enough support available to small businesses like his.

The frustrating thing is feeling like you "haven't done anything wrong" as a business, Ian says.

He said: “We can only keep doing our best and trying our hardest.

"We just have to bury our head in the sand and go 'right, let's get through this'.

"I'm upset because I've put so much into this, and I didn't expect this to ever happen."

Ian and Dominique take pride in their business, and shrinking profits impact their family directly.

Ian said: "We are making a lot less profit than we did in previous years.

"Like unbelievable amounts, which is actually quite scary. It's not a good place for anyone.

"We're a small team, so the profit goes towards me and my family, my wife and my kids, and all of a sudden money's been cut.

"We can't go on strike. We've done nothing wrong. Absolutely nothing, that's the bit that annoys and upsets me.

“This year if I can break even, I'll be happy.”