A much-loved community café in Canford Heath has been forced to close due to costs.

The café, Lounge One, which is community-run and staffed by volunteers, has been open for eight years but closed its doors for the final time on December 23.

The manager of the café, Nikki Jackson, said it is sad that the café needs to close.

“We just can’t afford to keep it open. We have a lot of community groups, lots of our volunteers have additional needs.”

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Customers said that the café will be missed by those in the community, as the café was a hub for the community.

One customer, Christine, said that it will be really missed.

“The staff really draw out the best in people. When they announced they were closing, the manager, Nikki, supported all the volunteers to find somewhere else to go, which was really thoughtful,” she said.

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Sarah said that everyone at the café was welcoming, and that even if you came in alone, you wouldn’t be lonely.

Another customer, Scott, said the café was a great place to relax with a cheap coffee.

Kelly, a volunteer, will miss the café.

“I’ve been here since it first opened, and it’s been really good to help them, but it’s sad for me because I ‘ve been here a long time.”

The café provided a place where individuals with additional needs could work in a safe and welcoming space.

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Kira, who is autistic, said: “It’s a place here where people go to build up their CV and gain their confidence for jobs out there. I find it really sad because it makes me feel like it’s taking away people’s chances to build up their confidence and get a job.

“I’m happy with how well it’s been but really sad that it has to close down.”

However, it may not be the end for the café, as Carole Taylor is hoping to take on the lease and keep the café going.

“We really believe that as a community cause we could really make something great out of this,” she said.

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“We’ve been told we’re not the only interested party. The main thing for us is that it remains what it is, a hub for the community. If that means it ends up being someone else that does it, then we will fully support them.

“If it’s meant to be it will be, we will wait and see what the new year brings. The main thing would be to keep this for the community, because clearly there is a need for that right now.”