News / Drink
Popular cafe forced to close
Take a look at this artist’s impression of a redesigned centre and you will see a cabin bearing a striking similarity to Just Ground just metres away from where it is now situated:
But the owner of Just Ground has now been told by Bristol City Council, after months of waiting, that his lease will not be renewed when it expires in March next year and he will have to reapply for the pitch when the works are finished.
“I’m feeling very disappointed,” said owner Arrow Jie. “It originally sounded very promising. But as soon as the roadworks started we heard nothing from the council about supporting us.”
Arrow, who works full-time at Just Ground with his wife Fency and employs two part-time members of staff, said that initial meetings with the council gave the impression that the business would be remaining in place once the works were complete.
“I’ve always been patient,” the China-born Bristol University graduate said. “I believe in the council. And I was always expecting our lease to be renewed based on all the conversations I’ve had with them.”
Arrow said that a council representative even spoke to him about their water supply, which at the moment is non-existent with Arrow and Fency having to carry bottles of water every morning from their home on College Green.
Takings have been 50 per cent down since the roadworks started and a £150 lease reduction per month was agreed with the council in November.
“Although we are struggling, we are still surviving,” Arrow said. “For us, this is not just a money-making business. It’s our life. A coffee shop like ours doesn’t make a massive profit.
“We do it because we love it. That’s why we want to keep it going.”
As a last resort, Arrow is urging all of his customers to contact the council to let them know about Just Ground’s predicament.
A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: “To accommodate Metrobus a number of works to alter the Centre will be required and this will affect the existing traders.
“Unfortunately Just Ground will no longer be able to trade from their current location so their lease will not be renewed on its expiry next March.
“When all the works are completed it is hoped that new trading locations will be offered to the market.”
Read more: Spare a thought for these two businesses