We are creating this fundraiser to support employees from Melo Coffee Shop & Bakery who were left without pay after our workplace failed to pay us with absolutely no notice and with nothing but string-along false promises.

There are currently over 13 employees due their pay, totalling over 1000 hours of labour which is almost £13,000. As the business has not been open for 2 years, they are not eligible for redundancy pay and there is a chance they will never see this money again. Over half of the team relied on their pay to afford their rent and mortgages, feed their children and families and to keep their heating running.

The company’s closure was not the result of an unavoidable downturn or sudden emergency. Rather, a series of decisions made by ownership left the business unable to meet its most basic obligation: paying employees for work already completed. Furthermore, staff who had been paying into their pension have since found out there is no trace of a pension in their name so their contribution remains “missing” and resigned staff are still waiting on their due pay almost 12 months later.

While funds were moved and financial choices were made at the ownership level, payroll obligations went unmet. As a result, hardworking employees who showed up, did their jobs, and relied on their wages were left without the compensation they earned - this situation was preventable. With different priorities and responsible financial stewardship, employees would not be facing this hardship.

We are actively pursuing all available legal remedies to recover the unpaid wages. However, those processes take time and may never rectify. In the meantime, we kindly ask if anyone is able to donate even a flat whites worth of donation, we would be forever grateful - especially as the second “payday” is on the horizon, but with no funds to show for it.

Funds raised here will go directly toward helping affected employees cover essential living costs while we work toward accountability and resolution.

Any support - whether through a donation or sharing this page - is deeply appreciated

Thank you,

Rachel (Ex-Manager) & the team