Millisle café run by people with disabilities faces closure

Jacqueline Adeoye said she feels accepted at work

Staff at a County Down café which provides employment for people with disabilities are "absolutely devastated" it is at risk of closure.

The Ability Café, beside Ballycopeland Windmill, opened in Millisle less than two years ago - as part of a £1.7m project.

However, a funding shortfall has put its future in jeopardy.

Most of its funding comes from the Department for Communities.

The windmill, which is Northern Ireland's only such working site, dates back to the late 18th century.

Along with the café it underwent refurbishment in 2020 with a new access road and parking.

'They appreciate who I am'

For employees like Jacqueline Adeoye, who is a team leader at the café, working there is "a safe haven".

"Being here, in this café, I don't need to be someone I'm not anymore," she told BBC News NI.

"They appreciate who I am, and they all understand that I have a disability, and they don't see anything bad about that."

Jacqueline said working at the café has helped build her confidence.

But she now fears the future.

"I don't want to go backwards, there's not a lot of people that want to hire people with disabilities," she added.

Chris works as a chef at the café and says his confidence has increased

There are nine staff at the Ability Café.

Chef Chris said unemployment is sadly the only option, if it closes.

"I would be without a job, if they close the doors here," he said.

"We're all going to be out of jobs."

• NI employment rate for disabled people lowest in UK

Chris told BBC News NI he is "absolutely devastated" at the prospect of the café closing down.

"I've seen a boost in confidence, I've seen a boost in my communication skills with customers," he added.

Ballycopeland Windmill is a tourist attraction on the Ards Peninsula

Ability Café is run by Ulster Supported Employment (USEL), an organisation which provides training and paid work for people with disabilities in Northern Ireland.

Ald Robert Adair, a DUP councillor on Ards and North Down Borough Council, described the site as a "hidden gem" which must be protected.

"Especially since £1.7m has been invested in this site less than two years ago," he continued.

"I was utterly disappointed and amazed that the decision had been made to close it. There was deep shock in the community."

The £1.7m heritage visitor centre and café opened in 2022

Alliance MLA for North Down Connie Egan said: "It's a waste of public money to invest nearly two million only to close it down not even two years later."

The deadline to address the funding shortfall is 31 March.

'Budget uncertainty'

The Department for Communities said "budget uncertainty" meant officials were unable to confirm further funding.

Consequently, USEL said it could not renew its Service Level Agreement with the department to continue the Ballycopeland operation beyond 31 March.

Chief executive of USEL, Scott Jackson, said: "The decision to withdraw the café provision from Ballycopeland Windmill stems from a funding shortfall that has put the sustainability of the café shop provision at risk."

Mr Jackson added that "the decision-making process regarding any closure and subsequent efforts to secure its sustained operation primarily rest within the purview of the Department for Communities."