Park goers have expressed their sadness that a popular Stoke-on-Trent park café is set to close. Café Indi at The Pavilion located at Burslem park announced on Tuesday that by the end of the week it will be shut for good.

The café which opened in September 2022 provided work experience, training and voluntary positions to adults and young people who wish to gain experience in the hospitality industry. However 'unprecedented' challenges in relation to the cost of living crisis and issues surrounding the lease of the Pavilion will mean the café will close.

Burslem resident, John Wilkinson commented: "It is a real shame for the area. As far as I know they were doing a good job but that the way things are at the moment, everyone is struggling. 

"I've been in there a few times and everyone has been really nice and welcoming. It is a real loss to the park, especially as summer approaches and more people will be using it and that will stand there empty. I just hope everyone can some to a solution to sort it all out."

Park goers have expressed their sadness at the news (Google).

One of the main issues surrounding the closure is the lease of the Pavilion. Stoke-on-Trent City Council have said they are looking at historic leases to ensure community facilities are supported.

However, Pat Litherland said the café had become a community hub for some park users. She said: "I think it's really sad, we come to the park everyday and we use the café regularly since there's a group of us that get together. So it's been like a community hub for the locals.

"It's something to do with the council, what the council are saying is not only are they having to pay rent, which they are, which has been increased but they want the café to pay for repairs to the roof of the building. When you look at the size of that building, they are only taking up a small part of that."

Husband and wife, Terry and Jenny Cartlidge who were walking their dog around the park, commented: "Burslem park is beautiful, small, it's a little gem just don't tell everybody or they'll all be down here. It's just a shame, it's a resource that we've got that isn't being used adequately, use it or lose it."

Announcing the news on Facebook, the venue said: "With a heavy heart, we would like to share an important update with our community. After much consideration, we have made the difficult decision to close Café Indi at The Pavilion. 

One of the main issues surrounding the closure is the lease of the Pavilion (Google).

"This decision was not made lightly; it comes in response to the unprecedented challenges brought on by the current cost of living crisis and issues with our current lease. We are currently in discussions with the council to renegotiate our lease terms. 

"As a charity deeply committed to our community, we are continually evaluating how best to allocate our resources to ensure they have the maximum impact. During the closure period, we will collaborate with the council and explore alternative methods and ideas that will enhance the cafe's sustainability to determine the future of Cafe Indi at the Pavilion."

Council leader Jane Ashworth said: "Burslem Park's café plays a vital role in the community. It has prompted the council to look over its historic leases to ensure that community facilities such as this are supported to thrive as much as possible. There are lessons for us to learn as an authority when it comes to enforcing leases that have been operating between the city council and community organisations and charities for some time. We are now looking more closely at the detail of the legacy lease to ensure it is reasonable, fair and up-to-date.

"Café Indi has been established as an important community initiative for over a year-and-a-half, and is backed by the city council to help support people in the community across all ages and backgrounds. We are now in negotiations with the team behind Café Indi to support them. We will do everything we can to help encourage footfall in the park and help the café stabilise and grow their income."

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