Corrina's cafe to close in Harrogate following running costs problems

Corrina's Homeless and Vulnerable Project has announced it will be closing their Mayfield Grove community cafe.
Corrina YoungCorrina Young
Corrina Young

The community organisation made the announce on Facebook this morning, March 21, after revealing the cafe was struggling to fund the running costs.

Founder and namesake, Corrina Young, also announced the project will be forging a new partnership with the St George's Community Centre from June 1.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Meals will be now be cooked and served to homeless and vulnerable people on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays at the centre in Mornington Terrace.

Corrina said they will continue to use surplus food donated by the town's retailers to provide meals but admitted problems funding their original cafe.

She said: "Over the last year we have actively sought to collaborate with like-minded organisations who are also focused on helping those most in need in Harrogate.

"We believe that by working together, and harnessing everyone’s expertise and resources, we can make more difference to the growing numbers of people in the town who need help and support.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

At the time of opening the cafe, Ms Young planned to run the cafe on a 'Pay As You Feel' basis, using food destined for landfill and offering free meals to homeless people.

However, Corrina said in November last year that, due to a lack of volunteers between 5pm and 6pm, the cafe had to instead give out takeaway food to homeless and vulnerable people at the end of the day.

The project had announced that, from January 2016, the service would remodel and only be available to the homeless after being refused charitable status.

Ms Young also said in the announcement on Facebook that there were plans to expand an emergency service providing food parcels, household items and clothing for people in need.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Chris Battersby of the St George’s Community Centre said: “St. George's Community Centre is very happy to support Corrina's Homeless and Vulnerable project in their relocation to our premises, and feel that this will be to our mutual benefit for the future.”

Volunteers are set to serve up to around 100 people at one sitting at the centre with only 35 previously accommodated at the cafe, Ms Young explained.

The cafe's last day of trading will be on May 31 and the project paid tribute to those that had donated to them and supported them.