News / Cafes
Cafe forced to close as landlord converts building back into church
One of east Bristol’s most popular cafes is being forced to close after a decade.
The owners of the Orchard in St George shared the news “with heavy hearts”, saying that their landlord has decided to convert the building back into its original use as a church.
“This was completely out of our hands,” the Orchard team explained in a post on social media.
“Over the past months, we’ve explored every avenue available to us from negotiations to alternative proposals but unfortunately the decision had been made and none of our efforts were enough to change the outcome.
“It is incredibly heartbreaking to know that something we have spent the last ten years building a business, a community and a second home for so many people is being taken away from us.
“The Orchard has never just been a building. It represents a decade of hard work, sacrifice, passion, friendships, memories and countless moments shared with all of you.
“We always hoped this story would continue. We wanted the opportunity to keep growing, keep serving our community and keep building on everything we had created together.
“Sadly, that opportunity has been taken out of our hands.”
The Orchard on Clouds Hill Road is a hugely popular local favourite – photo: Betty Woolerton
The Orchard owners said that the last few months “have been an emotional rollercoaster behind the scenes”.
“We’ve laughed, cried, stressed, hoped and fought for a different outcome. Coming to terms with the end of this chapter has been one of the hardest things we’ve ever had to do.”
They added: “First and foremost, thank you to every single member of The Orchard team, past and present.
“The impact each of you has had on this place cannot be measured.
“The community, culture and memories created here were built by people who poured their hearts into this business every single day.
“None of this would have been possible without you.
“To our customers, friends and the wider St George community, thank you. Thank you for choosing us day after day, year after year.
“Through the highs, the lows, the busy days and the difficult ones, you have supported us, championed us and helped shape the Orchard into what it became.
“We will never be able to fully express how grateful we are.”
The Orchard on Clouds Hill Road will be closing on August 30 but its sister site on Stokes Croft will continue to operate under the stewardship of manager Ethan.
The Orchard in St George is both a cafe and a bakery – photo: Betty Woolerton
Main photo: Betty Woolerton
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
