The longest established cafe in Nottingham's Victoria Market has announced it will be closing its doors later this month. Frothy Coffee, like other traders, has decided to shut up shop due to Nottingham City Council proposals to surrender the lease of the indoor market in Victoria Centre.
The team at the cafe said it was "with deepest sadness" that they would be closing on Friday February 24. The cafe is known for its affordable prices including big £4.95 breakfasts and, of course, its coffee.
Opening six days a week, the cafe has been a mainstay for many years, earning praise from customers for its homely food and welcoming service. One said: "Great traditional full English, reasonably priced and reminded me of my younger hung over days of the simple satisfying breakfasts of years gone by. Definitely worth a visit if sick of expensive, tasteless gastro all day brekkies."
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"This place is a proper old school cafe, friendly staff, good basic food, frothy coffees and great prices. Large breakfast two bacon, two sausage, two eggs, beans, tomatoes, a slice of buttered bread AND Coffee £4.95. You'd pay that for a cup of poncey coffee anywhere else."
The closing date was announced on the cafe's Facebook page. "We have not had this confirmed in writing but have been verbally informed of a date by the council’s representative, which will allow us time to clear and vacate the premises.
"If this date changes and gets pushed back, so that we are able to trade longer, we will endeavour to do so. We would like to thank all of our loyal customers and friends, past and present, for their continued support over the many years Frothy Coffee has been located here.
"We have no plans as of yet to relocate to another location, but we are not saying that will never happen. Please follow our Facebook page @Frothycoffeenottingham, which we will continue to keep open and update, should the occasion arise. A huge thank you and wishing you all the best in the future."
The news comes just days after another stall informed customers that it would be closing on March 10. The Madhouse Nut Centre, which has had a stall there for 15 years, will continue to operate a delivery service.
The Lizian Crystal and Incense Shop shut for good on February 7, saying: "Thank you to our customers over the years. It has been an amazing time and we consider so many of you as dear friends.
"We have enjoyed our time at the market - now it is time to move on. I know many of you have asked, here [sic] is the answers: no we're not moving to a new shop, and we're not selling online - it's time to say 'Thank You' - it's been a really great experience - and now we'll move on."
Traders have entered advanced talks with the city council over compensation. The local authority first recommended in August 2022 it should end the current lease for the market to save more than £39 million.
But the council said no firm decision had been made and traders say they have been "left in the dark" since the initial announcement. A council spokesperson said: "As part of a review of our operation of the Victoria Indoor Market, we put forward a proposal to end the lease.
"While our consultation showed strong support for the council's ongoing running of and investment in the Victoria Market, the reality is this is estimated to cost £39m over the next 50 years of the lease. Therefore, to meet our duty to deliver value for money for local taxpayers, we have been undertaking confidential discussions with all traders about recommended offers of compensation in the event that the market closes.
"This engagement has now largely been completed and the council is considering the full financial impact of the proposed exit from the market." On the compensation plans, the spokesperson added: "We will now need to undertake further work to consider whether this represents best value for taxpayers before a final decision is taken on the future of the market."
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