Is it true? cafe trio to close forever this Sunday

[Mumofone]

Really gutted about this. Lifesaver for entertaining small children. No idea if for financial reasons but Chocolate shop next door is moving due to rent increases.

Seems very sudden - the manager wouldn't really tell me why they were closing, just suggested emailing the owner.

[AZH]

I'm gutted. I just emailed the cafe to say how much support there is locally and asking the reason for closure, if they can say. Also wrote that I'd be happy to get together with others (if you're out there, which it sounds like it) if there were something to be done by the community including petitioning the landlord. Perhaps we could at least look at crowdfunding the rent-increase whilst a longer-term solution were made. Anyway, wait to hear back, if they want to say, which they might not. It could of course be just a personal decision as LondonMix says.

[yeknomyeknom]

Brilliant! Well done. Hopefully we can get to the bottom of it and help out if help is wanted.

AZH Wrote:

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> I'm gutted. I just emailed the cafe to say how

> much support there is locally and asking the

> reason for closure, if they can say. Also wrote

> that I'd be happy to get together with others (if

> you're out there, which it sounds like it) if

> there were something to be done by the community

> including petitioning the landlord. Perhaps we

> could at least look at crowdfunding the

> rent-increase whilst a longer-term solution were

> made. Anyway, wait to hear back, if they want to

> say, which they might not. It could of course be

> just a personal decision as LondonMix says.

[Charles Notice]

Why would there be a rent increase when they only just opened?

Surely they would have a fixed rent for a set period?

[Ginster]

They've been open a year now.

At least the choc shop is just moving round corner onto Maxted Rd.

Wouldn't be surprised if it's rent ;(

[Jeremy]

The chocolate shop must surely be due to rent, if they're moving just round the corner.

But who can tell what the deal is with Trio... such a shame, our daugher will miss it so much. Just going through the door used to put a smile on her face.

[superhans]

I was in contact with the owner - it's not a rent issue I don't think so much as they feel that it hasn't worked as a viable business. As others have suggested, although it was busy all the time, presumably it wasn't profitable enough. I get the impression that they may yet open an alternative business on that site, so I'll look forward to seeing what that is and will continue to support them. The staff are happy to give out the owner's email address in case anyone else wanted to verify!

[Tanday]

Still open

[Mumofone]

It would be weird if it was rent, especially as they did a large renovation to the site - put in the whole side return. Hopefully owner will be back in touch, I would crowdfund to keep them open!

[AZH]

I heard back from the owner via email and can confirm it's a business decision. Nothing as simple as a rent-rise, but sounds like the business model might be rethought. I imagine the owner is getting a sense of the local support they have, and perhaps, hopefully, that might be of use if they decide to reopen on the same spot.

[Otta]

I've never been and don't know what this place offers for kids, but having read this thread I'm wondering if a small charge per child might work? When you think what you spend to take a kid to soft play or something, a couple of pounds to take them here could be a better option, and help the business to run.

Other than Hornimans there are very few free indoor places for a rainy day.

[LondonMix]

The chocolate place is moving to larger premises near Ganapati I thought? I don't think they are going out of business. Also, I'm not aware if its to save rent per se. The new shop appears quite a bit larger so even if Maxtead Road charges less per square metre the total rent might very well be the same.

Has anyone actually heard from the Chocolate people that they are moving because they can't afford their rent?

Mumofone Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Really gutted about this. Lifesaver for

> entertaining small children. No idea if for

> financial reasons but Chocolate shop next door is

> moving due to rent increases.

> Seems very sudden - the manager wouldn't really

> tell me why they were closing, just suggested

> emailing the owner.

[LondonMix]

Most commercial leases are fixed for 5 years at which point there is a rent review, so I tend to agree with you.

Edited as I've finished reading the thread confirming this is nothing to do with an increase in rent.

Charles Notice Wrote:

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> Why would there be a rent increase when they only

> just opened?

>

> Surely they would have a fixed rent for a set

> period?

[Seabag]

I've often wondered how that business plan looked

Just can't see how it would make money

[Jeremy]

Otta - it's basically just a cafe with a small play area at the back, with a few toys and books. Yes they could charge an entry fee per kid, but I think parents would expect more faciities and space in return.

I think perhaps they were expecting the classes/activities to be their core business, but they didn't quite take off as well as they'd hoped?

[edhistory]

LondonMix Wrote:

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> Most commercial leases are fixed for 5 years at

> which point there is a rent review, so I tend to

> agree with you.

>

Were there not some interesting commercial premises and retail rent subsidies that came from the EU funds used for the Bellenden regeneration project?

Perhaps these subsidies are now expiring?

Eileen probably knows.

John K

[DulwichFox]

Jeremy Wrote:

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> Otta - it's basically just a cafe with a small

> play area at the back, with a few toys and books.

> Yes they could charge an entry fee per kid, but I

> think parents would expect more faciities and

> space in return.

>

> I think perhaps they were expecting the

> classes/activities to be their core business, but

> they didn't quite take off as well as they'd

> hoped?

Not sure what the set up is there..

Birthday Parties

When: Weekdays and Sundays from 2.30pm ? 6.30pm (party starting at 3pm).

Rates: There are different rates for peak time and off peak time exclusive hire

?110/hour 2:30pm to 4:30pm

?85/hour 4:30pm to 6:30pm

?6/child for party food

DulwichFox

[Charles Notice]

edhistory Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> LondonMix Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Most commercial leases are fixed for 5 years at

> > which point there is a rent review, so I tend

> to

> > agree with you.

> >

>

> Were there not some interesting commercial

> premises and retail rent subsidies that came from

> the EU funds used for the Bellenden regeneration

> project?

>

> Perhaps these subsidies are now expiring?

>

> Eileen probably knows.

>

> John K

If this is correct why did Chaz sell up and go before this shop appeared.

[spider69]

Jeremy Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> The chocolate shop must surely be due to rent, if

> they're moving just round the corner.

>

> But who can tell what the deal is with Trio...

> such a shame, our daugher will miss it so much.

> Just going through the door used to put a smile on

> her face.

Just how long did you stay and how much did you spend across the counter?

Or was it a cheap cr?che for the cost of a cup of coffee?

[Otta]

Why get nearly towards one specific poster spider69? Clearly the business model has failed, but I don't think Jeremy (who has said he has used the place for breakfasts and cakes) can be personally held responsible for bringing it to its knees with his coffee drinking exploits.

[Jeremy]

Fox - I'm not talking about private hire or birthday parties, I'm talking about the classes and activities they run.

Spider - we often had breakfast or lunch there. It is nothing like a "cr?che", there is nobody looking after the children outside of the classes. And I NEVER went in just for a coffee... I can never resist a piece of cake.

Otta - don't think Spidey was blaming me for anything, just trying to make a point regarding the business model. Which... to be fair.. clearly hasn't quite worked.

[JaneKinnin]

Re the classes, the Friday music class with Cat from Little Folk Music is usually sold out every week. She's looking for a new venue in the area. I don't know about the others.

Another idea might be to have some sort of membership model, if a number of people who really want to support the business to be financially viable paid a monthly or annual membership? Possibly with a discount on classes and cafe, but mainly intended to be essentially buying into the project and helping ensure it stays open...Personally I have found it really valuable as a toddler play space that also allows parents to catch up with each other.

There are similar toddler cafes opening up elsewhere - several mentioned in this Telegraph feature from last year, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/11544958/Child-friendly-cafes-at-last-Decent-coffee-and-safe-soft-play.html

[mancity68]

The chocolate people, Melange, told me that their landlord had been trying to get them out for a few years and they had eventually had to move. They're going round the corner, next to the Ganapati take away and didn't sound wildly excited about having yo go.

[LondonMix]

Why was their landlord trying to get them out rather than just pay more rent? Does s/he want to develop the building in some way?

Something similar happened to Scoop on Melbourne grove under that guise though I've never seen anything done to the place since they were kicked out.

[spider69]

mancity68 Wrote:

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> The chocolate people, Melange, told me that their

> landlord had been trying to get them out for a few

> years and they had eventually had to move. They're

> going round the corner, next to the Ganapati take

> away and didn't sound wildly excited about having

> yo go.

Would you be happy in a backwater away from the main footfall?

Unless they have a dedicated following they are dead.