Croydon chocolatier saved following Stuff Market Place closure (From This Is Local London)

Croydon chocolatier saved following Stuff Market Place closure

12:10pm Tuesday 11th May 2010 in

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Croydon chocolatier Tim Fisher has seen his bespoke firm’s presence in the town centre saved following the shock closure of Stuff Market Place on April 30.

Despite doing a brisk trade before the market’s closure, Mr Fisher feared his fledgling store was be in danger of folding after receiving little help from banks to finance a move across town.

But swift intervention from the Croydon Economic Development Company means the chocolate maker will be setting up a new store inside Allders from May 14.

He said: “Closing Stuff was heartbreaking for (owner) David Lashmar and the traders and I would have very much liked to carry on.

“The move would not have happened if the CEDC had not got involved and worked it through with me.

“I am very grateful for their support - I particularly valued the sensible and positive help from Keith Miller who got onto my case and moved mountains to get things done.

“I hope I can repay them by making my business very successful.”

Mr Miller, finance manager at CEDC, said the company had managed to provide almost £900,000 of loans to 80 firms in the borough since starting its finance wing in 2008.

He said: “These funds have been used to help businesses develop and grow, and have both created job opportunities within the borough as well as safeguarding jobs.”

More information about the Croydon Enterprise loan Fund is available at croydonedc.co.uk