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Touchstones cafe closure sparks visitors’ outcry

Helen Johnson
29/ 9/2006

TOUCHSTONES cafe is set to close because it is not bringing in enough money - despite the centre recently having its best month yet.

In August 8,500 visitors went through the doors of the arts and heritage centre, but now Rochdale Council finance chiefs are pouring cold water over any celebrations with the news that the cafe is to close.

Council officers have not yet confirmed an actual date for the closure, but members of the public are already voicing their concerns.

The cafe offers sandwiches, snacks and drinks as well as hot meals - described as 'imaginative' by one reader who contacted the Observer upset at the closure plan.

Last December Town Hall finance chiefs were considering closing Touchstones for two days a week because of an £8M budget shortfall, but the idea was later scrapped after an outcry from the public, staff and councillors.

The council is preparing to provide more details about what the cafe closure will mean, but a spokesman confirmed it was to shut for financial reasons.

News of the decision has provoked anger among Observer readers.

One, John Fisher, bemoaned the cafe's demise as another case of 'shut-it-downitis' and said it was one of the few town centre attractions of real value.

He added: "Walking in the centre of this town is already a less than uplifting experience, with the Town Hall standing out as a shining gem in a sea of squalor and mediocrity.

"Rochdale has little enough to commend it without closing this first class facility.

"Are those who worked so hard to make the cafe a success to be rewarded by being thrown on the scrapheap? Why don't they get behind it by advertising it better?"

Another cafe supporter, from Kirkholt said: "The loss of this public facility will leave Rochdale museum customers with no opportunity for home cooked quality refreshments."


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Most recent 1 of 1 user comments

   Shame on Rochdale Council again - how can you consider spending 14 million on your monster office block then close down this small friendly popular community resource. Why not spend some money on publicity for this cafe. As a customer I can vouch for the dedication of the staff who care about the customers and deliver excellent customer service. They support all the vulnerable clients who visit and use this place as a safe haven enjoying the wide variety on the creative menu. I have signed the petition myself and urge all visitors to sign to save this cafe. Or post your support on this forum.
oldhamer, Rochdale
30/09/2006 at 14:01
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