Trevena Cross Nurseries has released a statement regarding the closure of its current café after an online campaign to save it was launched last night on social media.

On Monday (November 6) reports surfaced on Facebook that The Garden Kitchen Café at Trevena Cross Nurseries, Breage would be closing in the new year, leaving many customers upset.  

Falmouth Packet: Customers of the café have expressed their sadness that it will 'close' in January Customers of the café have expressed their sadness that it will 'close' in January (Image: Nicola Notley)A letter said to be sent to staff stated that the café was expected to close towards the end of January 2024 following Trevena Cross's decision not to renew the agreement. 

An official statement from Trevena Cross Nurseries has now been sent to the Packet, which explains fully what will happen with the café. 

It says: “As we’re sure you are now aware; The Garden Kitchen Café will be closing at the end of January.

“We are now able to advise that in early March, after some extensive refurbishment, the café will be reopening with a new name, under Trevena Cross management.

“The café/restaurant will remain at the heart of the garden centre with the priority of delivering customers a dining experience that exceeds their expectations. The focus will be on serving excellent quality food, providing exceptional levels of customer service, and creating the perfect ambience to enjoy dining in.

Falmouth Packet: The inside of the café at Breage The inside of the café at Breage (Image: Nicola Notley)“We appreciate that this news may come as a surprise to some, but we can assure all customers of the garden centre and the Garden Kitchen Café that it is done with very best intentions, and to futureproof a dining experience at Trevena Cross that fits with the aspirations of the business. It is a decision that has not been taken lightly.

“We thank you for your patience and understanding during the upcoming period of transition, and hope that you will remain open-minded to the changes afoot.”

However, people have been quick to share their thoughts on Facebook and a campaign has been launched on the social media site to help save the café or to help the current owner to find other premises in Cornwall to continue trading, with members of staff to keep their jobs.

More than 40 comments have been left on the post, which has been shared 49 times since it was published on Monday evening. One member of the public who has visited the café frequently said: “It is such a lovely café, lovely staff and always welcoming.

“To be fair, I go for the café for the food and reasonable prices and atmosphere, then have a look inside of the garden centre but never buy anything.

“I haven’t been here much of late, but based on my previous visits, it is always a wonderful experience.” 

Falmouth Packet: A selection of cakes inside the café A selection of cakes inside the café (Image: Nicola Notley)Another person wrote: “That’s such a shame, I am sure like many others, we tend to go to the café and then end up buying something in the garden centre.”

Julia Freeman who has worked at the cafe for the past nine years has praised Derek and the rest of the team for their support over the past year following her daughter's leukaemia diagnosis. Julia said: "We are a close team, and they have supported me when I have needed to be at the hospital, they have stepped in. 

"Derek has been incredible and has given me time off to look after my daughter or attend hospital visits. He has worked so hard. 

"I am so thankful to him and the rest of the team, and to the customers who have asked how my daughter is." 

The Packet has contacted the current owner of the cafe for comment. 

However, on social media, The Garden Kitchen Cafe replied to one wellwisher saying: "Unfortunately the garden centre has served the cafe three month’s notice. Such a shame for 26 staff and myself losing our jobs and to all the lovely customers over the last 12 years."