A BINFIELD cafe has been saved from closure thanks to an outpouring of support from the community.
The Foxes’ Den, a community interest company based on Benetfield Road, also offers a number of activities and events.
Claire Murphy, the managing director of the cafe, revealed in December that financial pressures could force them to close their doors.
She wrote in a message to customers: “If we carry on as we are, we will have to close permanently at the end of January.
“To those lovely customers and friends of the Den that have asked what they can do to help; all I am asking is for kindness and patience.
“Please be assured we will still be here and working hard for our community for as long as we can; we won’t give up without a fight.”
The cafe had been successful following its launch in December 2018, and its success continued through the various lockdowns as an important escape for many residents.
“Throughout covid, we were still a major part of the community,” explained Ms Murphy
“We had a little takeaway window and we did a roaring trade on hot drinks..
“People would also come and sit down in the mindfulness garden, socially distanced, of course.”
As people returned to normal life the Foxes’ Den, like many other hospitality businesses, started to notice a fall in trade.
Ms Murphy said: “All hospitality businesses have struggled in terms of whether people want to actually socialise to start with and then, with the cost of living crisis, people are hesitant to spend money unnecessarily.
“My biggest worry was coming out of December because everyone has spent money on Christmas, and in January they’re going to be tightening their belts. So I was a bit concerned.
“The message in December was me saying, ‘well, actually, we’ve been making a loss for quite a few months, and the money’s run out.’”
Ms Murphy decided to utilise January as a “test month” to see if the Foxes’ Den was still sustainable long term.
Thanks to a few organisational changes and plenty of support – the Foxes’ Den won’t be going anywhere.
“We have received an absolute outpouring of love,” said Ms Murphy.
“So our community, I thought, would be just Binfield but actually we’ve spread out quite far.
“We’ve got customers that come to us from the other side of Bracknell and Wokingham who say ‘we come to you regularly, please don’t close’.”
Although there have been some minor changes to staffing levels and the menu, there are some things that won’t be compromised.
Ms Murphy said: “There’s a few things I won’t compromise on like how all of our coffee is locally sourced.
“We try to support local businesses wherever we can and we have two bakers that bake for us in house, so at least 95% of our bakes are all made by us so we know what’s in them.
“We’re trying to keep standards as high as we can, whilst making cost savings where we can as well.”
Looking ahead, the Foxes’ Den will continue to offer hot drinks, handmade bakes and there is a full calendar of community events for February, so things are looking up.
“There’s a full spectrum of things going on for all ages,” said Ms Murphy.
“We run a bereavement group and some seated pilates for those that can’t do the exercises right down to the baby toddler groups and the toddler craft.
“There’s something for everyone.”
For more information, visit: https://foxesden.co.uk/
