Popular Leith Walk cafe owners 'not ready to give up' after closure u-turn
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Leith cafe owners u-turn on closure saying ‘we’re not giving up yet’
The team behind a Leith cafe that had been set to close has reversed its decision and said they are ‘not ready to give up just yet’.
Sea Breeze Cafe announced in April that it would close its doors after almost two decades on Leith Walk. However, the team behind the cafe have now reversed the decision and said they are ‘not ready to give up just yet’.
The final day of trading for the popular cafe was set to be May 14, with owners having given a notice to quit.
However, the cafe will now remain open for the next six months as it fights to remain part of the community. The team said it had received an outpouring of support from locals after it made the announcement that it would close.
A statement posted on social media read: “We have some important news to share with you all.
“As many of you may already know, we have been facing some very difficult challenges here at Sea Breeze Cafe. But thanks to the incredible support you have shown us over the years, we are not ready to give up just yet.
“We are committed to keeping the cafe open for the next 6 months, and we are fighting hard to ensure that Sea Breeze remains a part of this community for as long as possible.”
Sea Breeze Cafe thanked those who had visited the cafe over the years, urged customers to “bring a friend” to keep the cafe open.
The post continued: “Now, more than ever, we need your loyalty. Every cup of tea, every breakfast, every visit truly makes a difference to us. You are the reason we open our doors every morning, and you are the reason we are determined to keep doing so.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Thank you to every single one of you who has walked through our doors, pulled up a chair, and made Sea Breeze the special place it is. Your support over the years has meant the world to us, and we will never take it for granted.
“Please come and see us. Bring a friend. And know that every visit helps keep the dream alive.”
The announcement of the stay was met with happiness from customers. One well-wisher remembered visiting with her family.
She wrote: “Hope it turns around for yous sea breeze was where I would go with my mum and aunties most days as a child for breakfast would be devastating to see it completely gone.”
Others reacted to the news by making plans to visit the cafe in the coming days.
One wrote: “Happy days brilliant news see you at the weekend”
Whilst another said: “DELIGHTED!! We will be in to celebrate this weekend”
When it was announced that the cafe would close, owner Sam Alkerson said that rent increases had made it “too difficult” to continue. Loyal customers said it was another example of “gentrification” in Leith and lamented the closure.
Regular customer Graham Ross, 64, said: “Sea Breeze is a greasy spoon café, old school, but it is still very popular and serves a purpose in the local community. Losing this café is another sign of the gentrification of Leith.”