Chesterfield’s Ashgate Hospice announces sudden closure of North Derbyshire coffee shop
“It has been a familiar and welcoming place for the local community for many years, and we understand this news will be disappointing and upsetting.”
Ashgate Hospice has announced it would temporarily close one of its coffee shops, while plans for a permanent closure are discussed with staff at risk of redundancy.
Ashgate Coffee Shop at Mill Green Way in Clowne has suddenly closed its doors with immediate effect this morning (Tuesday, November 10).
The hospice announced the sad news on their social media shortly after 9am and said while the closure was temporary, the staff would be consulted on a proposal to close it permanently.
Ashgate said that the ‘upsetting’ decision was made due to the coffee shop operating at a financial loss for more than five years, with the premises lease set to expire this month.
The hospice said that no final decision has been made yet and it wanted to ‘give everyone involved the opportunity to share their views, raise questions and explore alternatives’ before any decision is reached.
Ashgate Hospice issued the following online statement: “Clowne Coffee Shop is temporarily closed with immediate effect while we consult with staff on a proposal to close it permanently.
“We know how much the coffee shop means to many people in Clowne.
“It has been a familiar and welcoming place for the local community for many years, and we understand this news will be disappointing and upsetting.
“The coffee shop has been operating at a financial loss for more than five years, despite our efforts to improve its financial position.
“With its lease also due to expire in November, we have reached a point where we need to consider its future.
“The consultation includes four employees whose roles are potentially at risk of redundancy.
“We are working with them to explore suitable alternative roles across Ashgate and speaking with current volunteers about other volunteering opportunities.
“Clowne Coffee Shop will temporarily close while the consultation takes place.
“ This temporary closure will allow time for individual consultation meetings to take place and for the proposal, feedback, and any possible alternatives to be properly considered.
“It is important to be clear that this temporary closure does not mean a final decision has been made to close it permanently.
“We want to give everyone involved the opportunity to share their views, raise questions and explore alternatives before any decision is reached.
“The consultation relates only to Clowne Coffee Shop. Our charity shop next door and our other retail shops are not affected and will continue to operate as normal.
“We know people may have questions, and we're sorry for the disappointment this news may bring.
“You can find more information and answers to frequently asked questions on our website:”