A popular Cambridgeshire café has blamed “crippling financial pressures” for closing with immediate effect. The Bohemia – which described itself as a relaxed stylish coffee house, bistro, Tapas, and cocktail bar – is based near New Shire Hall at Alconbury Weald, Huntingdon.
Although the owners have been forced to close, they also announced today they will continue to run a café inside New Shire Hall.
And they will also continue to run what their describe as their flagship operation in St Neots.
In a Facebook post last night, Bohemia owners said the cost-of-living crisis had them hard and they face prices of stock skyrocketing and wages going up.
“All with less money coming in,” they said. “It has been something of a perfect storm, squeezing an already small profit margin to nothing.
“The nail in Alconbury’s coffin is utilities. Back in 2022 through no fault of our own we found ourselves out of contract just as the prices started to spike.
“This left us incredibly vulnerable, and we were left with a contract triple the price of our previous rate. While initially government discounts helped, when that ended, and it became clear we were about to struggle.”
The owners added: “We have done everything we can to try and renegotiate and fight our corner.
“We have worked tirelessly for the last year to make it work. But with future increases in all areas on the horizon unfortunately there is just no way of covering the costs.
“Independents are struggling all over so whenever you have the choice between a massive corporation or an independent business then please do shop small, they need you so much more.”
The post – signed by James and Ash – thanked “all of our incredible staff for all their hard work. They have been a credit to our brand and deserve a better ending.
“Rest assured we will do all we can to retain as many as possible in our other two sites”.
They also offered a “a big thank you to every customer that has stepped foot through our doors. It has been a joy to serve you.
“We can only hope that you loved it as much as we did. Without your support we would not have made it this far.
“Obviously you will have questions and we feel that transparency is what you deserve as well as dispelling any rumours that may arise. Because on the face of it we are a busy restaurant!
“The hospitality industry has always been a brutal, yet fragile beast, vulnerable to circumstances out of its control and the last two years have been particularly harsh”.
