Popular cafe to close in wake of pandemic
OWNER SAYS IT WAS A ‘HARD DECISION’ TO SELL ‘GOOD LITTLE BUSINESS’
A CAFE on the top of Carlton Hill has announced that they are placing their business up for sale with ‘heavy hearts.’
The owners have experienced a series of setbacks caused by Covid restrictions and would like to spend more time with their young children.
They noted it had been a ‘hard decision to make’ as the community had been so supportive.
Albie’s cafe is popular with customers for its friendly customer service, pop-up food events and tasty tapas. The owner, Anna Horsley, posted a heartfelt message on Facebook announcing their intention to close. They reassured customers that until the property is sold, the cafe would remain open.
Owner Anna Horsley highlighted that while she would like to spend more time with her family, opening before Covid hit also had an impact on the business.
She said she has been pleased with the support from the cafe’s regulars and also local residents who commented on the social media posts to say they were ‘gutted’ at the sale. She said: “We opened in December 2019 then had to close for seven months before finally reopening in April with restrictions.
“We thought we may recover but then there were further restrictions at Christmas that resulted in us losing several big bookings as people were encouraged not to socialise together.”
She added: “We feel so well supported so it’s been a hard decision to make. There are people in the industry looking for new venues now that Covid has passed. It will be good for someone to go in with energy and not have to worry about being shut down. It will work for the right sort of person but we just opened it at the wrong time.”
Anna feels that the business could be very successful for the right person, especially as the community has been so supportive of the cafe.
“We were always going to struggle to recover from the setbacks we went through and we had two children to look after during that time,” she said.
“It’s such a good little business and you can see from the comments and support that we got that it just needs someone with fresh energy to go in and really go for it.”
The cafe often collaborated with different independent traders to create unusual menus.
Recent collaborations have seen kitchen takeovers by Workingman’s kitchen pizzas and Falafel Baffle vegan food. They also supplied 200 degrees coffee.
Anna hopes that the cafe will be kept on and that the kitchen will remain working with new vendors.
“I think it will depend on whoever takes it over as to what their plans are for the way the business will continue,” she said.
“I really hope it’s kept on and in the same format because it could be open more days or nights because we have the licence. It just needs someone to take a look at how it could work.”
The message on Facebook read: “With a heavy heart, we wanted to let you know that we have decided to put Albie’s up for sale. We are still open Wed-sunday and will be running tapas Fri and Sat evenings until it’s sold – do not panic. “It’s been a hard decision to come to and there are many reasons why, but the main reason is to spend more time with our young family.” “We have the best team of staff who have handled this news like the true professionals and amazing humans they really are. We also have you, the loyalist following of customers we could have just ever wished for. We cannot express how truly grateful we are for the support we have received.” One person answered: “Ahh we Just went Saturday (been trying for ages as such good reputation) with my Hearing Dog was such a lovely night really made us welcome. Good luck with your future.” Another commented: “Absolutely gutted but completely support your reasons. Just booked a table for Saturday morning to make sure I get my Breakfast Bruschetta fix before it’s too late.”
It’s been a hard decision to come to but the main reason is to spend more time with our young family. Anna Horsley, Albie’s