The NAAFI Café in Catterick Garrison faces closure, but community support grows to keep it open.
Catterick: So, the NAAFI Café at the Princes Gate Shopping Centre is set to close unless they find a new tenant soon. It’s a bummer because it opened just last March.
The folks at NAAFI, which is part of the Ministry of Defence, said it’s just not working out financially anymore. They’ve tried their best, but it’s become too tough to keep the café running.
They mentioned that since they started this café plan back in late 2020, they were excited to bring the NAAFI vibe to the high street. But now, despite being a popular hangout, it’s just not feasible to keep it open.
They’ve got a lot of costs piling up—rent, business rates, and rising prices for products. It’s just too much to handle, and they can’t keep losing money like this.
Sadly, this isn’t just happening in Catterick; they’ve had to close other cafés in places like Scarborough and Winchester too.
NAAFI’s main goal is to support the Armed Forces, and they operate like a business, not a charity. They need to use their funds wisely to help Defence communities worldwide.
After the news broke, the community really rallied together. Residents, veterans, and local groups have shown tons of support. There’s even a petition with over 1,500 signatures and a social media group with 800 members backing the cause.
Anthony Cotton from Coronation Street is also in on the action, supporting military charities and the café’s campaign. Angela Campbell, who runs a choir that meets there, started the petition with her friend Beki. They see the café as a vital spot for the community.
Angela pointed out that the café hosts important groups focused on mental health and suicide prevention. She said it’s a social hub that brings people together, and when she heard about the closure, she felt she had to act.
She’s been blown away by the support and is hopeful something can be done to save it. North Yorkshire councillor Kevin Foster is also stepping up, trying to find a solution and meet with NAAFI and army charities.
He’s seen how much the community values the café, saying it’s a place where the public and military connect. Losing it would be a big hit for everyone.
Rishi Sunak, the MP for Richmond and Northallerton, is backing the effort too. He understands how disappointed people are, especially those in the Service and Veterans’ community.
NAAFI has hinted that there might still be hope. They’re open to the idea of the café becoming a community-led space. They’re even willing to donate the café along with its furniture and equipment to keep it alive.
They’re looking for anyone interested in taking over and are ready to help with some of the rental costs. It’s a chance for the community to step in and keep this beloved spot open.
