Staff at the candle factory in Burwardsley have issued a desperate plea for visitors as its footfall has slumped to an ‘all time low’.
Family-run business Cheshire Workshops boasts a proud 50-year history, but ‘grave concerns’ about its future have been revealed.
In a candid post on Facebook, the team urged people to pay a visit to its site on Barracks Lane to ‘ensure’ its future.
It read: “You will be aware that there has been major investment at the Ice Cream Farm and as a consequence the footfall at The Candle Factory has fallen to an all time low.”
According to its website, Cheshire Workshops – which used to be known as the Candle Factory – welcomes more than 100,000 visitors every year, but visitor numbers have sadly dropped in recent months.
Changes
Company secretary Patricia Owen told the Chronicle that fears for the future remain, but has vowed to make improvements.
“As a small, family-run business we are always thriving to learn from the experiences of our customers, putting money back into the centre to improve facilities wherever possible,” she said.
“Following feedback from the local community, we would like to emphasise our solidarity with all businesses in Cheshire and the surrounding area during these tough times.
“We are currently in talks with the Ice Cream Farm to boost cooperation between the two companies, creating a fully rounded day out for all visitors to the Burwardsley and Tattenhall area.
“While we cannot emphasise enough our grave concerns for the future of the business, we appreciate the fond memories many of our visitors have for the workshops and we will endeavour to do all we can moving forward to protect and strengthen its reputation as a local institution.”
Loyal Cheshire Workshops fans have taken to social media to pledge their support and spread the word to encourage other people to visit, with the factory’s original Facebook post racking up more than 1,800 shares.
Patricia said the response has been ‘overwhelming’ and has thanked everyone for the ‘amazing show of support’.
