A COMMUNITY café has closed unable to compete with chain restaurants at Yate's new £25million leisure complex.

Ridgewood Community Centre’s café closed its doors on Friday (April 22) as a direct result of competition from restaurants and cafes at new development Yate Riverside.

National chains Frankie and Benny’s, Nando’s and Prezzo opened late last year, coffee chain Costa opened its third Yate shop above Next and with the opening tomorrow of a Cineworld cinema serving hot drinks and snacks, the community centre has been left struggling.

Centre manager Anne-Marie Cook told the Gazette: “As a knock on effect of Yate Riverside, with all the new eating establishments and coffee chains and the offers they can give, we have noticed a dramatic fall in footfall and it is just too far a drop for us to plug.

“We needed the café to be standing and supporting itself and it just wasn’t and we could not afford the luxury of a café when we need that money to keep the centre running.”

She added: “It is very sad. It is okay to have these big developments but they do have an effect on small businesses.

“We would urge people not to forget about their local community centre.”

The spacious café, which opened nearly four years ago inside the former workhouse-turned-community centre, was popular with groups which meet at the centre particularly parents because of its free play area and pushchair-friendly policy.

Café manager Hayley Wynn said the closure was a sad day for herself and colleagues Maria Wilmott and Jess Chandler.

“It is such a shame,” said Hayley. “Lots of mums really loved it because of the space and the relaxed atmosphere but sadly it just wasn’t busy enough.

“Our customers have been lovely and we have built up lots of friendships and met some amazing people. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us.”

Mum Vanessa Atkinson said the café had been a ‘lifeline’ after giving birth two-and-a-half years ago.

“I have been a regular at this cafe since having my daughter,” she said. “It was a lifeline for me in the early days with a young baby and a chance to meet other new mums.

“There are so many other regular customers that rely on the cafe for somewhere to meet with friends or get a hot meal at a reasonable price, particularly retired customers.

“I just really wish the centre had tried harder to keep such an important service open for the community, there really is nowhere else like it in Yate. I understand that businesses need to make money but this cafe provides such an important service to the community.”

There is a glimmer of hope for the café as the centre is hoping to reopen it as an independently-run business.

Said Anne-Marie: “This is a sad moment for Ridgewood, however, there is an opportunity here for someone.

“We want to hear from anyone interested in running the café independently from the centre and we will promote it to people who use the centre.

"Maybe they have new ideas on how to run it or want to open a cookery school or bistro in the evenings, please get in touch via ridgewood@live.co.uk.”

Whilst its future remains undecided the café’s doors will remain open so children can use the play area and parents can use the highchairs and tables. If no-one is found to take it over the centre will install a self service coffee machine and keep the doors open.