A COMMUNITY café in Basingstoke has announced that it is planning to close for good.

The Orchard Community Café opened in White Hart Lane in June 2021.

Now, three years after it first opened, the business has announced it will shut in October, with its last day of trading being Wednesday, October 16.

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In a post on Facebook, café managers said: “It is with our deepest sadness that we are announcing the closure of the Orchard Community Café.

“We have experienced 3 amazing years running our beloved café alongside the local community, but due to personal circumstances, we are making the extremely difficult decision to focus upon home life and pastures new.

“We are so proud of what our small but mighty café has accomplished over these 3 years, having supported over 50 young people in customer service skills, barista training and food hygiene and preparation. We’ve also been wellbeing advocates and attended important meetings for volunteers, and most recently have been partaking in delivering fresh food parcels to households in the Borough, having delivered over 500 food parcels since October 2023 and delivering a food swap shop for unwanted food items.

“We wish to thank our amazing volunteers, of which we would not have been able to run this café without. Their hard work and dedication throughout these past 3 years have been absolutely incredible and we could not be prouder nor thankful to ALL our volunteers, past and present.

“Our last day of trading at the Orchard Community Café will be Wednesday 16th October 2024.

“Although this announcement is surrounded by sadness of having to say goodbye, we wish to leave on a positive, of what we’ve achieved and accomplished and how much impact we’ve had in our local community and want to thank each and every customer who have been to our café, for supporting us.

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“As you will appreciate this is a very difficult time for all Staff and Volunteers, we will continue to support them through this transition period.

“Thank you for your support,

“Hannah, Ed and Holly”.

The café has been contacted for further information.