Three Wellington cafes close after 3 decades: reports

More than 20 employees of three Pandoro cafes in Wellington have lost their jobs after the venues were shuttered after nearly three decades of business, according to reports.

Tony and Pamely Beazley, owners of the cafes, announced the closure of their stores on Facebook last week.

"After 28 years in business, it saddens us to announce the closure of our business," the pair said in the statement. "The economic downturn, customers working from home, the redundancies in the public sector, cycle lanes, and the Wellington City Council are all contributors."

The New Zealand Herald reported that over 20 employees at Pandoro's Willis St, Allan St, and Woodward St stores have lost their jobs as a result of the closure.

"A heartful thank you goes to our entire team over the years," the owners said on Facebook. "We are absolutely devastated; Pandoro has been our life."

More business closures in Wellington

According to the Herald's report, Pandoro is just one of the businesses that have announced their closure in the past week.

On September 3, Egmont Eatery also announced that it would be closing by the end of the month after nine years of business due to the "current climate." The Herald reported that it will impact 15 employees.

In a statement, Egmont paid tribute to its "incredible staff," both former and present.

"Your warmth, dedication, and exceptional service have been the heart of Egmont St. A special shoutout must go to our current team for their enthusiasm and commitment during these challenging times," the business said on Facebook.

Employees are among the first parties impacted by business closures in New Zealand, where insolvencies surged to 700 in the second quarter.

"When companies go down, employees lose their jobs, and with the current economic squeeze, there are not enough places available for all job seekers," said BWA Insolvency principal Bryan Williams in a statement.