It was revealed earlier this week that the NAAFI Café at the Princes Gate Shopping Centre on Richmond Road in Catterick Garrison will close later this month unless a new tenant can be found.
The not-for-profit NAAFI, an arm of the Ministry of Defence, said the café, which opened in March 2023, was no longer viable.
In a statement, NAAFI said: “Since late 2020, when as a business we first began work on the UK café plan, we have been very proud to bring the NAAFI brand to the high street.
NAAFI Café in Catterick (Image: KEVIN FOSTER) “However, despite our best efforts, and although it has become a popular place to meet for many, it is no longer economically possible for us to continue operating in Catterick.
“The many financial factors, including rent, business rates, operational costs, and rising product costs, mean that the money lost is too vast to continue, however much we would love to keep the facility open.
“Unfortunately, this was also the case for our cafes in Scarborough, Lancaster and Winchester.”
The statement added: “NAAFI’s main focus is serving our Armed Forces, and we operate as a business, not a charity, with all our surpluses going back in various ways to support UK Armed Forces.
“To continue operating Catterick café would mean losing money at an unsustainable rate, money that could be used elsewhere serving Defence communities in our locations around the world.”
Following the news of the closing of the café, an outpouring of support from residents, veterans, military personnel and community groups has been made.
NAAFI Café is scheduled to close later this month (Image: KEVIN FOSTER) A petition, which has been signed by over 1500 people and a social media group that has the strong support of 800 people, has been created; showing people’s outrage about the decision.
The petition and campaign to save the café has also been made by Coronation Street star Anthony Cotton, who supports several military charities.
Angela Campbell, who runs a choir that meets at the café, set up the petition with her friend Beki Bulmer and has pinpointed the need to keep this ‘lifeline’ venue open.
This includes the venue hosting mental health, suicide prevention and other community groups.
She said: “It’s a very social place that’s important for the area. There are lots of groups that use the place, including the NAAFI Natter groups, which bring the community together.
“When I went on Saturday and heard the news of the closure, I was devastated and needed to do something.
NAAFI Café (Image: KEVIN FOSTER) “Morally, I couldn’t stand by and do nothing.”
Angela says that she is “blown away” by the support seen from the petition and hopes that something can be done to save the facility.
Another person campaigning to save the café is North Yorkshire councillor, Kevin Foster, who represents the Hipswell and Colburn division and is an Armed Forces Champion, who has spoken with NAAFI and hopes a solution can be found.
He said: “The show of support I have seen from the community is overwhelming – it’s a place that brings the public and military together in one place.
“It will be a huge loss to the community if it does close.
“I’m trying to meet with army charities, NAAFI and other groups to see what can be done.
“It’s a difficult situation – it’s a business and not a charity but it needs someone to run it and make a go of it. Hopefully, we can save it.”
Richmond and Northallerton MP Rishi Sunak has also launched his support behind saving the café, with Mr Sunak saying: “I understand the disappointment local people, particularly the Service and Veterans’ community, feel about the news.
“I visited the café not long after it opened and felt it was a great facility in a good location.
“A number of my constituents have contacted me about the matter and I have contacted the NAAFI to get further information on their decision.”
Alongside the support from the public, MPs, councillors and community groups, NAAFI has also offered a glimmer of hope that the venue will stay open.
A spokesperson for NAAFI said: “We recognise that this presents an exciting opportunity for the café to become a community-led facility.
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“NAAFI is happy to donate the café, with furniture, equipment and decorations included, and we would be prepared to support a proportion of the rental cost.
“This is just one example of how the café ownership could be transferred to keep it alive.
“There might be many others, and we are happy to work with any interested parties or organisations to keep the facility open.
“If you know of anyone who would be interested in discussing this, please ask them to contact this mailbox – catterickenquiries@naafi.co.uk.”