A beloved community hub in Gloucester is set to close its coffee shop in the coming weeks, leaving many locals saddened. The Friendship Cafe, located at Chequers Bridge Community Centre on Painswick Road, announced its decision to shut down the coffee shop due to escalating operational costs and a significant reduction in funding available to community organizations.
The charity behind the cafe expressed that this difficult choice was made after careful consideration and with deep regret. While the coffee shop will no longer be serving customers, all other community services offered by the centre will remain fully operational.
Councillor Roseanna Marshall, representing Barton and Tredworth at Gloucester City Council, voiced her disappointment and expressed hope for the cafe’s revival. “It’s heartbreaking to see such a valuable resource close because of funding shortages,” she remarked. “The Friendship Cafe has been a safe and welcoming space for many residents. I remain optimistic that with renewed financial support, it can reopen to continue serving the community.”
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In an official statement, The Friendship Cafe acknowledged the essential role the coffee shop has played as a warm and friendly gathering place, made possible by dedicated staff. However, they noted that surging costs combined with a steep decline in funding mean they can no longer subsidize the coffee shop as they have in previous years.
The organization is currently exploring sustainable ways to reopen the space in the future and is inviting community input. “We welcome any ideas on how the Coffee Shop could operate differently moving forward,” they said. “Thank you to everyone for your support and for being part of our community.”
Those with suggestions or ideas are encouraged to reach out via email at [email protected].