A WELL-LOVED and used Bradford café has announced that it will be closing its doors at the end of next month.
Bread + Roses, located on North Parade, posted on Twitter that it will be closing on June 24, due to a lack of funding.
We are so sad to share the news that B+R will be closing it's doors on Friday 24th June 🍞🌹
— Bread + Roses (@BreadandRosesBD) May 30, 2022
We can’t thank you all enough for the support you have given us over the last few years✨
With love + solidarity,
The B+R Team 🌱❤️ pic.twitter.com/M4Tl0Szm3U
The closure has been in the pipeline for several months, but the café announced it no longer has the funds to continue.
The café, which runs as a co-operative, has built a strong relationship with the local community over the past four years.
Gina Riley, Officer of Bread + Roses said: “This is a massive loss for Bradford and the community.
“We have had a real show of support on social media, but we don’t know what the next step forward is for now.
“We have seen some real success over the years and it’s a real shame having to close now as we’re seeing an upwards climb.”
The community hub café provides local groups with opportunities and offers them a platform to share their work and passions.
It was one of only two cafes in Bradford where the Citizen Coin Scheme could be used, highlighting its work in the voluntary sector and for the local community.
Bread + Roses was home to a number of organisations, including Volunteer Bradford, Mind in Bradford, 16-25 Youth Advice, and the Racial Justice Network.
Gina added: “We do a lot of work to support the local community and we reach out to diverse communities and backgrounds.
“We are one of the only cafés that offer solidarity prices to unwaged people to make things easier, we also have a pay it forwards scheme so that those who were slightly better off can buy something for someone in need and we will make sure it reached someone in that situation.
“It really is a massive shame and people are asking us whether we would consider crowdfunding, but we just don’t think it would be fair, because we need stable funding that will see us through.
“We’ve seen people come together for workshops; we’ve attracted younger audiences and we’ve built something really special.
“It’s a huge loss for Bradford and especially if they do win City of Culture.”
The café is still hosting events and workshops throughout June before it officially closes for business at the end of June.
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