The Cook Maida Vale store will be shut down permanently in mid-September 2020.  This is primarily due to reduced foot traffic, resulting in lower cash flows, combined with high rents.  This Cook store was going to start home delivery the week of 10 August 2020, which would have been hugely beneficial to local residents who are unable to go out shopping or cook on their own.  Many elderly people remain in isolation and depend on food from Cook to survive.  Additionally, this is an example of what will be happening to many local shops in the coming months once furlough ends.  
 
We therefore are petitioning Cook Head Office to postpone the shut down for another six months to a year.  People depend on the matter in which Cook provides its food (e.g. pre-prepared) and frozen.  This also reduces or even eliminates food waste and enables those who need to quarantine do so effectively.  This further protects others who are vulnerable in our community. This is a crucial part of local communities supporting each other during these difficult times.
 
We are also petitioning you to further negotiate with the landlord or ask Westminster Council for assistance in this matter.  This will give you time to trial the home delivery service to see if it provides you with sufficient revenues /cash flows to maintain your location.  This will give petitioners time to further research and understand the detrimental impact that wealthy uncompromising landlords are having on our local areas, particularly on small UK businesses, and to determine ways to petition the Council to interact with these landlords.  Alternatively, it will give local residents the opportunity to identify the landlords with whom we no longer want to interact or support.  
 
We are hoping that, by showing our support for the local Cook branch, you will understand its importance to the local community and provide residents the opportunity to fund it appropriately with our purchases so that you can remain in business.