Tim and Caroline Richardson say they have “run out of cash” and will be forced to close their Art & Soul café in New Street, St Neots. “After 5 ½ years, we (Caroline and Tim) at Art & Soul have reached the point of no return,” the husband and wife owners posted to their Facebook account at the weekend.
“Quite simply, we have run out of cash and will have to close shortly. A combination of debts accrued during and immediately post Covid and trading that is stable but not increasing means we have to throw in the towel as the current company.”
The couple wrote: “What this means is that we will have to close the doors on Art & Soul, but we are hopeful that a new Community Interest Company can rise from the ashes and take on the brand.
“We are exploring ways of offering more people from the community the chance to own and run the business because we believe it has established a strong presence in the town and provides real benefits to many.”
They added: “We have loved the journey to here, even with the tumultuous events over the last 5 years.
“We’ve made lots of friends, created many jobs, and hopefully brought some brightness and joy into St. Neots.
“We do hope someone, or something might emerge to take on the next chapter, but for now we can only express our deepest and most sincere thanks for all the support that people have given over the time we have been open. If you are able to come in this week and say a proper au revoir, we’d love to see you.
“And we do have Jazz club on Thursday evening and our monthly vegan night on Saturday, both of which have spaces.”
Their website explains the background to the café’s name.
“The soul bit is about what it means to be wonderfully human. Deep. Helping build community and connections with old and new friends. No place for loneliness,” it says.
“The art bit is about the innate creativity we all have as human beings. Whether it is actually drawing a house with four windows and a door (we all started there didn’t we!) or joining a workshop to explore other creative media and having fun, our hope is that over time there will something that inspires you.
“And of course, the gallery is a place where artists young and old (truly courageous people really…) can exhibit their work and bare their souls to inspire us all.”
