Closing your business is one of the most difficult and heart wrenching decisions you will ever have to make. Unfortunately many businesses close every year and it is far better to make the decision to close rather than continue trading when there is no hope of making a profit.
Once you have made the decision to close you will have many people to tell. You can use the sample letters here to inform everyone from customers to your bank. Each of the letters can be adjusted to your own circumstances and can also be sent as an email, although in this case, a formal letter is the best way of ensuring there is a paper record of your communications.
What to include in a business closure letter:
- The date when you know for certain that you will cease trading
- As much notice as possible so your customers can find an alternative supplier
- Include a date after which you will not be accepting any more orders
- An explanation as to why you are closing (optional)
- Thanks for their custom
Letter informing customers about closure of business – sample 1
(This is a simple mass letter or email to regular customers)
Dear Valued Customer,
It is with a heavy heart that we at [Business name] must announce the closure of our business. We will cease trading on [date].
We want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your support over the years. It has been a pleasure serving you, and we hope to keep in touch in the future.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Yours sincerely,
[your name]
[business title]
Letter informing business customers about closure of business
[Customer’s business name]
[Customer’s business address]
Date
Dear [Customer name]
It is with regret that I must inform you that [company name] will cease trading on [date]. This decision has been taken predominantly due to [state reason here e.g. increased competition from overseas where lower production costs mean we are no longer able to remain competitive on price].
However, we do intend to honour all of the existing orders which have been placed over the past month and if you are awaiting delivery of a particular order, you will still receive it within the next 14 days.
Our customer service centre will remain fully operational until 5.30pm on our last day of business [date], so if you have any enquiries about your order or require any further information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us on the above telephone number.
On behalf of [company name], I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your loyalty in choosing us as your preferred supplier for the past [number] years it has been a pleasure to do business with you.
Yours sincerely,
[your name]
[business title]
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