Vegan doughnut shop to close after ‘running out of ideas and money’

There has been an outpouring of support for a vegan doughnut shop and cafe whose owners have announced it will be closing in early July.

Future Doughnuts opened in September 2021 within a converted railway arch and quickly established itself as a popular destination.

Co-owners Kay Stanley and Andrew Horne say they have “really, really, really tried to make things work” at their business on Oxford Street in St Philip’s “but we have run out of ideas and (quite frankly) money to keep going”.

Responding to the news on Instagram, Helena Rose wrote: “Oh nooo, I’m so sorry to hear this Kay. Your vegan doughnuts are amazing and it’s so horrid when you’ve worked so hard and poured so much love into a business for outside circumstances to force your hand. So many indies are having to close right now. Wishing you guys the best for your next adventure.”

Mildred Locke added: “Oh I’m so heartbroken, FD is my favourite place in Bristol. I will be visiting you so much between now and 8th July. Devastated, and I’m so sorry you’ve had to make this tough decision. You’ve been an incredible part of Bristol’s vegan community and you should be so proud of what you created. So much love to you and the team.”

Future Doughnut’s doughnuts are colourful enough to be in a cartoon – photo: Future Doughnuts

In a statement, Future Doughnuts’ Kay and Andrew said: “Bad news time I’m afraid, Future Doughnuts is closing Saturday 8th July.

“We have really, really, really tried to make things work, but we have run out of ideas and (quite frankly) money to keep going.

“We’d love our last few weeks to be positive and busy for our lovely team. The best way to support us all is to visit in person and buy drinks while you’re there. If you know you’ll want a box please pre-order on our website (it massively helps us plan our workload). We also have merch!

“If you have vacancies please consider hiring our talented team! Giving up on a dream business is bad enough, but making six people redundant through no fault of their own is absolutely awful.

“Thanks for supporting our vegan doughnut shop, we hope to see you before the shutter comes down for the last time.

“We’re planning to open as normal as possible 10am-4pm Tues-Sun until Saturday 8th July.”

Future Doughnuts can be found within a railway arch in the Dings – photo: Future Doughnuts

A doughnut shop in the city centre, Diggity Doughnuts, closed its doors after only a few months; with another recent hospitality casualty being Nata & Co on the Clifton Triangle, whose owners cite high costs as just one reason for it closing after just ten months.

But Small Goods’ doughnuts are going from strength to strength, made in their cafe and bakery on Glass Wharf in St Philip’s just a few hundred yards away from Future Doughnuts.

Doughnuts from Small Goods are also now available on selected days in their sister businesses Small Street Espresso in the Old City and Little Victories in Wapping Wharf.

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read next:

• Welcome to Bristol’s new doughnut quarter
• ‘Brunch, coffee and hair of the dog’ at new restaurant
• Crosstown opening first doughnut shop in Bristol

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: