'Much-loved' village tea-room closes due to rising costs
A "much-loved" village tea room run by a hospice on the Nottinghamshire border has closed due to increasing costs. Dove Cottage Tea Room, in Stathern, provided a warm, welcoming space for the community and raised vital funds for Dove Cottage Day Hospice.
However, announcing the "incredibly difficult" news on Tuesday, October 22, the Leicestershire-based charity said the community café was no longer profitable or sustainable. "The tea room's rising costs, limited indoor seating space and steady decline of customers means that it has become substantially less profitable in recent times and has forced us to consider where our funds will have the most impact," said the hospice's chief executive, Dan Smeeton.
"The Dove Cottage Tea Room has been a much-loved part of our community for years, and the decision to close it has been incredibly difficult." Ms Smeeton said the charity’s trustees made the decision to ensure that people's care remained their first priority.
She added: “Over the years we’ve had incredible support from our amazing volunteers and staff in the tea room and have received such wonderful support from our loyal customers. We will miss each one dearly, but our priority will always be the care and support we provide to those who rely on us the most.
"While it’s sad to have to close the Tea Room, we remain focused on delivering the best possible care. We encourage anyone who can to continue supporting us so that we can keep providing the services that make such a difference in people’s lives."