Wholesaler: Spend your £100 at a business that needs it!

Thursday 20 August 2020

A local food wholesaler is refusing to “capitalise” on the £100 vouchers being gifted to everyone in Jersey, urging islanders to instead invest them in businesses that have been harder hit during the pandemic.

Jamie Racjan of family-run Fungi Delecti said that while he “loved” the scheme, he would not be accepting the Government’s vouchers and wants customers to instead direct their 'treat' money to businesses in sectors like hospitality, events and entertainment and retail.

Every islander young and old will soon be receiving a ‘smart card’ charged with £100 in credit to spend locally over the next two months as part of plans to give Jersey's battered economy a post-pandemic boost.

Like many other businesses in the island, Fungi Delecti says it suffered financial losses during lockdown, but Mr Racjan suggested that, thanks to the support of customers, it hadn't suffered as severe a blow as some others.

“We’re ok, it’s not going to be a good year by any stretch of the imagination but we’re ok,” he wrote in a post on Facebook.

"It’s been a rollercoaster but we’ve survived and at times we’ve thrived, we were lucky to have had a chance to evolve and adapt when many couldn’t and it’s hard to express quite how much your support has meant.” 

Contacted by Express, Mr Racjan added: "We, like all businesses, could always do with more, but we were not too big to diversify quickly and will limp through this year.

"2021 will see us continue with wholesale whilst also proudly promoting our lifeline that is www.fungidelecti.com. Our future will actually be stronger because of 2020.  Others within our industry have not been so lucky and the voucher is aimed at them at not at us.

"It would simply feel wrong for us to consider accepting them."

Pictured: Mr Racjan said he didn't want his business to capitalise on the Government's vouchers.

He is therefore calling on islanders to “invest their voucher wisely” to ensure it has an impact.

He suggested that islanders "treat themselves, indulge in an unnecessary purchase or an impromptu meal out with friends" by dropping it into local hospitality for “all those who haven’t had the chances that we have”.

Mr Racjan also called for support for the events and entertainment industry, “who have felt this like no other and are feeling it still”, as well as retailers who have just had “a year to forget”.  

“Either way, it’s not for us to capitalise when others need it, thank you all again for your enquires but respectfully no,” Mr Racjan explained. 

He revealed his own voucher would be going to Tib Street, the Bath Street-based men’s clothes shop, which he praised.

“I love the welcome and the smile from Chris and will love being able to give something back,” he said.

“I’ll buy a top, bring it home and then one of my teenagers will take it and I’ll never see it again but it will have been worth it.”

 Fungi Delecti’s customers praised Mr Racjan for his decision, with one calling him “one of life’s good eggs”.

The Jersey Hospitality Association (JHA) also welcomed the move, adding that they really appreciated the support at this difficult time. 

“How you spend your voucher is a hugely personal decision, but it is a great chance to thank all those local businesses on our island who have gone above and beyond during exceptionally challenging circumstances,” they added.

“I'm sure many of you will be supporting our industry and we would like to thank you in advance.”