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A shop which has provided local students with school uniforms for nearly a decade-and-a-half will be closing this summer – blaming a recent Government policy change.
New rules announced by Education Minister Inna Gardiner shortly before Christmas put a limit of five on the number of ‘bespoke’ items that can be included on a uniform list – including PE kit.
The change came after a survey found that 55% of parents were either “very dissatisfied” or “dissatisfied” with the cost of uniforms, that the majority of parents spent between £100 and £200 on uniforms per year – and that some schools had as many as 17 branded items.
But JSSK (Jersey Schools and Sports Kit), which has been supplyingJersey children for 14 years, said that the new approach had created significant difficulty for the business.
CLICK TO READ: The full letter from JSSK.
In a letter to parents, JSSK said that it had "worked tirelessly to find a way to keep the business running" after the policy announcement.
However, it found that the business would "no longer be viable without significant price increases" – something JSSK said was "against our ethos".
In a post on the JSSK website, owner Paula Shield criticised the new school uniform policy as "completely mismanaged" and "another example of the destruction of private businesses in Jersey through the Government’s unnecessary interference".
She wrote: "In essence, the new Policy limits and reduces what we are allowed to sell, and we have to absorb all losses incurred when items become obsolete. Our business, as a result, has been devalued and we face a substantial loss in revenue when costs of operating a business and purchasing stock are spiralling.
"Further, we are unable to diversify the business, as our capital is tied up in the stock that will now be discontinued, accordingly, our ability to sell our business as a going concern in the future has been obliterated."
Mrs Shield continued: "We have put 14 years of blood, sweat and tears into JSSK and to have to defend our business from being made into the scapegoat for the Minister’s inability to deliver on her promises, has caused no end of personal anguish, stress and heartache."
JSSK will be holding a closing down sale starting on Monday 29 January, before permanently closing on Saturday 4 May.
On behalf of the team, Mrs Shield said the decision had been taken "with a heavy heart", adding: "We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and support you have given JSSK over the years.
"It has been our privilege to be part of your child's school journey."
Commenting on social media, islanders expressed their sadness at the announcement.
"You really will be missed," wrote Fiona Jane. "Such hard work building up a family business over 14 years to be forced to make the decision to close."
Emma Le Main commented: "I'm really sorry to hear this. You run a great shop with very helpful staff.
"I've always found your prices reasonable. Schools and parents are definitely going to miss you."
Other criticised the Government's role in JSSK's closure.
"Poor management again by Jersey Government to assist local business to survive," wrote Lisa Woodford.
"Ridiculous decision by the Government," added James Hewlett.
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