Sadness as Shipley Country Park's café closes

The council is looking for a new provider to run the café

Customers and staff have expressed sadness after a café at a Derbyshire country park closed following a row over rent.

Ramblers Coffee Shop at Shipley Country Park served its final hot drinks on Friday after the business's owners failed to reach an agreement with landlord Derbyshire County Council.

They said the authority had proposed a 66% increase, later reduced to 33%.

The council said it was sorry the owners had not accepted the new terms.

Andy and Wendy Wright stop at the café when they walk their dogs

Ramblers co-owner Jeff Counsell told the BBC: "I have very mixed feelings, I'm just sad for our loyal customers.

"They have supported us for the past five years and supported us with our negotiations with the council and we are so sorry to see the business go.

"A lot of people have been in tears over the news because a lot of people come here every day.

"One gentleman, who has dementia, is here every morning as soon as the doors open.

"He sits in his favourite chair with his book and I'm really sad that we won't be there any more for people in the short-term."

'Crying about it'

Wendy and Andy Wright visited the café several times a week while walking their dogs.

Ms Wright said: "We walk our dogs around here every day. This is not just a café, it's a family."

Another customer, June Lambe, said she had many happy memories of times spent at the café.

"I want the council to be accountable for why it's got to this stage and why they were so desperate to up the rent," she said.

"I think it's awful that they cannot do anything about it, I'm borderline crying about it."

A council spokesperson said: "We're sorry that the owners have chosen not to accept the terms of a new lease despite our best attempts to negotiate."

The council is now starting the process to advertise for a new café provider to open up in the park.