Café boss Naomi Rose says the “current climate” is forcing the closure of her popular St Neots café.
“This is a post I hoped I’d never have to write but here it goes,” she told her customers on a Facebook post.
“I’ve had to make the very difficult decision to close Elsie May’s Café and this Saturday (21 January 2023) will be our last day.
“I can’t begin to tell you how truly devastated I am that it has come to this. I’ve tried my absolute hardest to keep the doors open but sadly my best isn’t enough to beat the financial pressures of the current climate.”
She wrote: “I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart of all the generosity and support you have shown for Elsie May’s.
“I’ve met some amazing people and I’m truly honoured to have been a part of such a wonderful community.
“The biggest thanks of all goes to my incredible team. There are really no words to describe how lucky I’ve been to have worked with all of them – thanks goes to them for all their hard work, dedication, kindness, memories, and laughter.
“They helped to make Elsie May’s the place I always imagined it would be and for that, I am so very grateful.”
She added: “However, as one door closes, another one opens. After a bit of time off, I’ll be back with an announcement about the bakery school which I’m still planning on doing but it won’t be at 58 Market Square.
“I’m so very sorry it has come to this. I’m utterly heartbroken and I really do wish there was more I could do.
“Sending lots of love & hugs to all of you.”
Last year Naomi, who founded Elsie May’s in 2018, fended off national competition to win Britain’s Best White Loaf, with a panel of expert judges praising the bread’s “good prove”, “good bake” and appearance.
“I still can’t quite believe it that our white loaf has been voted the best in Britain by a panel of expert judges,” she said at the time.
