Johan van den Broek stops. After 110 years, the doors of Bakkerij van den Broek in Geldrop are closing. Not because Johan (71) wants to retire. Staying open is simply no longer profitable due to high gas prices.
“I’m the third generation. My son was supposed to take over this year. But then Putin started fighting and energy prices went up. We would review the acquisition in January, but that’s not feasible. Last year I paid 1300. euros per month in gas, after 2800 euros and now it’s 15,000 euros.
Making bread more expensive is not an option. “Then I have to sell 6 euro loaves. People just want cheap bread, they keep their hands on the cut.”
“Customers hate it.”
The doors of the pastry shop close on November 1st. Eleven employees have to look for other jobs and Johan’s son can apply too. “Clients think it’s terrible. I can cry too. This business belonged to my grandparents. It should have been around for years.”
“I hope the same thing happens to this toilet one day.”
The cabinet in The Hague will provide financial support to some SMEs, provided that their energy costs correspond to at least 12.5 per cent of their turnover. Most bakers fall into this. But Van den Broek has nothing good to say about the support measure. “It can only be claimed from April. By then I will go bankrupt a long time ago with these energy prices. I want to prevent it now by stopping. Too bad because November and December are very good months. But if I open I will make a loss. I hope the same thing. ever happen to this toilet. “
READ ALSO: Bakker stops: ‘Bread should now cost 5 or 6 euros’
