Court café to close

St Barnabas Hospice will close its café in Lincoln Magistrates’ Court at the end of the month.

The decision follows careful consideration and a thorough evaluation of the café’s long-term sustainability and financial stability. While it has been a vital source of income for St Barnabas Hospice for many years, recent increases in operating costs, alongside difficulties in recruiting volunteers, have made it unsustainable.

The hospice currently receives just 44% statutory funding and must raise £7 million each year to continue delivering its vital services throughout the county.

Caroline Peach, Head of Retail, says: “We understand this news will be disappointing for many to hear. It is essential that we are spending our funds in the most efficient way possible, so that we can continue to support over 12,000 patients and their families in Lincolnshire each year. Sadly, it is no longer viable for us to keep the café open.

“We are especially grateful to the volunteers who have supported the café over the years, and to everyone who has visited us.”

A network of charity shops remains a vital source of income to help fund the charity’s care and support for people living with life-limiting or terminal illnesses – see https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk/shop/