Two months since Jack Frost was saved from closure, the wholesaler has announced it is indeed set to shut its doors with the loss of 11 jobs.

It has been a turbulent year for the company, from gaining meals on wheels clients to losing government contracts, and announcing its closure before a dramatic *-turn just days later looked like the company was going to survive.

However, managing director Mike Priest has now confirmed it will cease trading following an ’orderly close down over the next two weeks’.

Mr Priest said: ’We refinanced in February, but a combination of bad weather in February and March didn’t help, more people are buying local and people are eating out less. It all hits us.’

Mr Priest also noted the decline of the number of businesses in Douglas, as previously reported by Isle of Man Newspapers. Several large businesses have moved out of town to Braddan which has more room for newer buildings, free parking and lower local authority rates.

This was previously noted by leader of Douglas Council David Christian, who said the moves had led to less footfall in the capital over lunch and in the evenings, which has a knock on effect on the restaurant and therefore wholesaler trades.

Mr Priest said the franchise businesses like McDonald’s, Subway, Costa and Starbucks have changed the market as they import all of their own food, and supermarkets, such as Tesco, import the majority of its food.

The orderly close down will see the business take no more stock of food and sell it on a first come first served basis before the business begins to sell off its fixtures and fittings, with the building also going up for sale soon.

Mr Priest explained that the company would still supply the people who use it for their meals on wheels replacement service, of which he says there is about 50.

Deliveries will be made on Monday, April 16, while the delivery for April 23 will be delivered on Friday, April 20.

He said that the 11 staff who remain with the company will be paid in full, adding: ’There are no worries on that’.

For those currently receiving the meals on wheels service, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Social Care said the DHSC has spoken to Jack Frost who confirmed letters have been sent to them all.

Users will be advised of the other two services that will be available, Emjays and Wiltshire Farm Foods and how to contact them.

The spokeswoman said: ’If anyone is having problems choosing an alternative provider they can contact Adult Services Access team on 686179 (option 1), who will be able to offer support.’

Emjays can be contacted on 626909 or www.emjays.im and Wiltshire Farm Foods on 626393 or www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com

Jack Frost have been serving the island for almost 40 years.

It began serving meals on wheels to residents following DHSC cutting their funding for the service in January this year.