Homes needed for cats as cafe closes
CAT CAFE FORCED TO CLOSE DOORS FOR GOOD
THE owner of Newcastle’s popular cat cafe Mog on the Tyne has told of her heartbreak after announcing its closure.
The moggy meeting place opened to great fanfare almost six years ago in Pudding Chare, becoming the first of its kind in the region, with queues of people regularly seen outside the entrance, eager to meet and play with the resident cat family.
However, the cafe joined leisure and retail businesses across the world in closing its doors when lockdown arrived, with all the cats including siblings Rum and Sybil, Wednesday and Bear, Stan, Garry and Sir Francis being safely sent to live with the cat cafe workers.
Since then, Mog on the Tyne has kept regular customers entertained with Facebook and Instagram updates as the cats settled in to their new, albeit hopefully temporary homes away from the cafe.
Meanwhile, owner Katie Jane Glazier, of Northumberland, had been trying to work out how she could possibly, safely, re-open the cafe while also adhering to Government guidance on social distancing.
And the harsh reality is that it wasn’t possible, leading to the heartbreaking decision to close its doors for good.
Announcing the closure on Facebook, she said: “It is with a heavy heart and great sadness to have to announce that we must close our little cafe.
“Mog is so much more than just a business, it is a community for like minded cat folk, a safe and happy place filled with joy, love and laughter for so many.
“We have worked so hard over the last 6 years and loved every minute, but sadly, uncertainty with the future due to Covid and our lease coming to an end, we just aren’t in a position to fight.
“We are working to find forever homes for our furry friends, we love them and will miss them so much.
“Thank you to each person who has supported us, we are so grateful.
“To all those booked in to visit us, you will be refunded, please bear with us whilst we process this as it will take a while.”
Katie has reassured that all the cats are being successfully rehomed, adding: “It has been impossible to plan reopening as the guidelines aren’t sufficiently clear on a business with animals touching customers and so on.
“Also the reality of the business model and anyone in the hospitality sector is that you need the bumper bookings in at weekends and holidays.
“Already this year half terms, Easter and now summer have been wiped out or severely restricted. In addition there isn’t really the flexibility in the property sector that hospitality needs right now and will need going forward. It’s also a massive concern that a second wave will knock everything back again. The cafe can’t pivot its business to takeaway unfortunately!”
Within hours of the late night announcement on Tuesday, June 2, more than 1,000 comments had been made by regular customers and fans of the cat family, expressing their sorrow at the news.
Ula Elliott wrote: “I’m very sorry to hear this. We loved coming here with our grandchildren and our daughter. I hope you are able to find homes for all the cats and that you have success in the future.”
Rianna Curran said: “I’ve had such wonderful experiences in this cafe, the staff have always been really relaxed and friendly, and the cats have such amazing personalities, especially ballet and stan! I have taken many friends here, and i am so sad to hear you are closing. I wish you all the best.”
Fay Warner added: “Completely devastated. I’m so sorry for you guys. I loved visiting the mog.”
Meanwhile, efforts to keep it open have been launched by fans in a “Save Mog on the Tyne” Go Fund Me campaign.
The page organisers wrote: “This cat cafe has been a staple to the Newcastle community for years, being popular amongst students, children and adults alike.
“Their customer service and cute cats have people coming back time and time again. It’s devastating to see independent businesses go under.”