Popular Inverness cafe owner asks for community support after tragic loss prompted closure to public
The owner of Blend Tea & Coffee Merchants on Drummond Street thanked the community the support received after her former business and life partner was killed in a tragic fire.
Gemma Taylor, whose ex-partner and father of her daughter Andy Adams – and former co-owner of Blend – lost his life in a blaze that hit buildings on Tomatin Road on Thursday, wrote in a post on the cafe’s Facebook page that they could reopen on Monday.
However, the hit on the small business during tourist season has been hard and they plan to launch a fundraiser to try and cover the loss of trade in the past few days.
In the message, she wrote: “Thanks so much for all the lovely messages and offers of help.
“Can I please ask that nobody goes after any business who posted the news prematurely. Nothing was meant with any bad intent, apologies have been made and Andy's family had managed to inform most of their immediate family and friends before word spread anyway.
“I'd also like to thank Andy Dixon and the Courier for their respect in not posting anything until I had confirmed the news.
“I think we'll be back open from Monday. We've lost three days of trading already, as any small business in a tourist town knows, these days are vital in summer to keep the place going.
“In addition we've lost most of the perishable stock and all my baking supplies/equipment.
“Unfortunately business insurance doesn't cover entire loss of home and bereavement. We've already been set up a personal GoFundMe, but I've been suggested to start one for here, so I'll post a link later.
“Even if we could cover the loss of trade these past few days that would be a massive help. Thanks again for all the messages and comments, they are all seen and appreciated.”
