Newcastle cat cafe makes sad announcement 'with a heavy heart'

Mog on the Tyne soon after it opened in 2015 - it is now set to close
-Credit:Newcastle Chronicle


A popular North East cat cafe has announced it is closing its doors after almost a decade of feline fun.

Mog on the Tyne was the region’s first cat cafe to open to the public in Newcastle city centre in May 2015, as a space where visitors could meet its resident family of cats over a cuppa. Based in Pudding Chare, the original family of cats – including Rum and Sybil, Jaffa, Stan, Gizmo and Sir Francis – attracted visitors from around the region, with queues of people waiting patiently to meet the pets that had a strong following on social media.

When the pandemic struck Mog on the Tyne closed its doors and all of the cats – all of whom were rescue cats – spent lockdown living with staff from the cat cafe, who gave regular updates on Facebook and Instagram to show how the furry stars of the cafe were coping. When businesses were allowed to reopen with restrictions in place, the cafe’s original owner announced plans to close, saying the post-lockdown uncertainty would make the business unviable.

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But distraught regulars stepped in and launched two online crowdfunding pages to rescue the city centre cafe. Founder Katie Jane Glazier left the business to explore a new career, handing the business to the manager Lara McNeil, who has continued to welcome hundreds of regulars and newcomers over the last five years. Now, however, the owners have issued a statement, confirming its imminent closure.

Some of the original cats who were at Mog on the Tyne when it opened 10 years ago
Some of the original cats who were at Mog on the Tyne when it opened 10 years ago

The statement posted on social media says: “After almost 10 years, it’s time for us to share some bittersweet news: Mog on the Tyne will be closing its doors on Sunday 2nd March. This decision was not made lightly, and it comes with a heavy heart.

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“Being part of this café has been one of the greatest joys of our lives. It has been more than just a place to enjoy coffee and meet cats—it’s been a space for connection, laughter, and so many cherished memories. The love and support you’ve shown us and the mog family over the years has meant more than we can ever express.

“While this chapter is coming to an end, we’re proud of what we’ve created together and grateful for every person and feline friend who made it so special. The residents at the cafe have the most wonderful forever homes waiting for them and we can assure you this has been our main priority.”

The business also asks anyone with vouchers or loyalty cards to redeem them within the next month. The firm added: “For now, please know how much we appreciate you and this incredible community. We would ask that any further donations be gifted to @thebadcatcafe and local cat charities around the North East.

“To Peter and Neve that created the two fundraisers that enabled us to stay open after lockdown, we are forever grateful for the opportunity and the extended time we had. Your kindness is something that will always be remembered.”

Following the announcement, the cat cafe owners told us: “Unfortunately, with trade slowing down, we had to face the reality that continuing on wouldn’t be sustainable in the long run. Rather than waiting until things became too difficult, we chose to close now-on our own terms-ensuring that every one of our cats is safe, loved, and well cared for. Their happiness and well-being have always been at the heart of everything we do.”