Community cafe to close due to rising costs

The community cafe is based inside Co-op in Radbrook

A community cafe in Shrewsbury said it had been forced to close due to rising costs.

Cafe Connect in Radbrook, which is run by church volunteers and based inside a Co-op, will shut its doors on Christmas Eve after operating for 22 years.

Bosses announced the news on Facebook "with the heaviest of hearts", saying it had been clear "for some time" the future looked difficult.

But the team would still be putting on events and activities in the future, the statement added.

The cafe said "rapidly" rising prices, staffing costs and volunteer levels had contributed to the decision, with its lease also due for renewal soon.

"This isn't a decision we've made at all lightly and we know how disappointing it will be for so many," the statement read.

"Our doors may be closing but our hearts remain very much open."