The heartbroken owner of a much-loved bakery announced bad weather and soaring staffing costs will force him to shut.

George Bellamy-Adams revealed his Modern Boulangerie in Ramsgate would be unable to endure a winter like the last and will cease trading on August 31.

Scores of well-wishers came out in support of the mother and son run patisserie today which, according to bosses, began “spiralling” last September.

Expressing their sorrow in a candid announcement today, the owners pointed the finger at “hard weather, a hard winter and an increase in wages”.

“So this is the hardest thing I've ever had to write,” chef and owner George Bellamy-Adams said.

“I honestly never thought I’d see this day come, or maybe it would come around in a different way.

“I just didn’t see this being a thing, and it makes me sad.

“Things started spiralling out of control in September last year. That’s where it started.

“The team and I stabilised just about. But winter was so tough - people stopped coming.

“It felt like we’d done something horribly wrong. Staff morale hit an all-time low. I thought about ending it there. I don’t like to watch people suffer, but to watch my team suffer, to watch my baby suffer - I just couldn’t.

“Grim determination won out though and with the staff behind me, willing to make the sacrifices, all of us together pushed through the hard months.”

The french-inspired bakery first opened in 2017 and moved to West Cliff Road in 2020 before relocating to Harbour Street in 2022.

Hopes were high when they opened inside the Grade II-listed former indoor market, known as Celandine Hall, languishing empty since 2014.

But Mr Bellamy-Adams revealed a “ perfect storm” of issues triggered by unremarkable weather this year brought too much to bear.

He added: “I can’t do another winter like last year. I just can’t.

“I don’t want to put my team through that again.

“My mental health can’t take another cold season like 2023.

“Looking back, you don’t realise how good a thing was until it’s gone. And now it will all be gone - all of it.

“All of us thank you for all of your support and your custom over the years.

“It’s been a journey that I'm so very sad to see the end of.”

The Facebook post triggered a deluge of customer support including a neighbouring bistro which described the industry as “absolutely battered with rising costs.

Jools Peacock wrote: “Oh no this is terrible. I’m absolutely devastated for you guys.

“This will leave a massive hole.

“I can't tell you how much I'll miss your incredible creations. I just hope something else comes along for you all.”

Another Ramsgate business, Baker Street Bistro and Bar, commented: “We as an industry are being absolutely battered with rising costs.

“We really rely on customers understanding what we are up against.

“It’s soul destroying to see all our hard work going down the pan.

“We are so sorry to hear yet another business is closing.

“Customers, we really need you right now. Use it or lose it.”

Another fan of the bakery, Carole Bounden, said: “I’m really sorry to hear your news.

“The Modern Boulangerie has been a great asset to Ramsgate.

“You make the best almond croissant and the finest sausage rolls.

“Well done to you and your team for your hard work and determination to supply quality bakery products to the local community.”