OWNERS of a dale cafe will continue to serve customers despite closing the doors on the premises they have used for the past 30 years.
Husband and wife team Stephen and Sheena Aldred, who with their daughter Nicola Stephenson, run The Stables Cafe, feared they would be unable to continue at their base in Horsemarket, Barnard Castle, because it was unsuitable for social distance regulations.
They took the difficult decision to close the doors on their current location and served up the final roast dinners at the cafe’s home for 30 years on Sunday, May 26.
However, The Stables has taken up temporary residence at The Hub, in Shaw Bank.
Ms Stephenson said: “We’ve been blown away by the amount of support we’ve had. It’s just been amazing. It’s fair to say it’s pretty emotional at the moment and there have been tears.
“One of our customers set up a fundraising page which got everyone talking about us and gave us the motivation to keep going.
“We’re in the process of looking at new premises so we aim to be back in the town centre later in the summer.
“In the meantime we’ve been offered the catering kitchen at The Hub, in Barnard Castle, so we can continue serving our takeaway roasts,” she said.
“It’s just all very humbling. My dad still doesn’t understand just how many of our regular customers see us as a community hub. Some of our customers have been donating money to help it’s just so overwhelming.
“We plan to be back and have looked at premises in town, but it does need work to make it suitable.
“But we’re more determined than ever that Stables will continue.”
Ms Stephenson added they have been in talks with the council and have submitted a pre-planning application on a premises that will need some renovation work carrying out before they can move in.
To help fund the renovation work and planning fees they are now in the process of selling off fixtures and fittings from their cafe.
Ms Stephenson said: “After talking to Durham County Council, we’re hoping a new discretionary grant will also help. In the meantime The Hub have really offered us a life line.
“We’ll be able to use their kitchen to continue our regular Sunday takeaway roasts and store our equipment while we get things ready elsewhere.”
Rachel Tweddle, chief executive at The Hub, said: “It is nice to be able to support a local business when they are going through a difficult time and it is lovely to see the kitchen running again.
“It’s also a nice test to see how we really help the premises work for everyone.”
