It is with great sadness that Peach Cafe, located on St James’s Street in Newport, will close its doors on 4th January 2025. Owners Steph, Guy and Harry have described their time running the cafe as an “incredible” experience and their proudest achievement to date.
Since opening in 2019, Peach Cafe has made a significant impact, not only in serving plant-based food, but also in saving countless animals from cruelty and slaughter. Over the years, the cafe has become a place where both staff and customers found solace and community.
A vegan haven for the Island
The owners shared their gratitude for the relationships they have built with the local community, saying,
“We have met so many amazing people who have become a big part of our lives.”
They also expressed their hope that Peach Cafe has made a positive difference, providing a “safe and caring place” for those who needed it, much like their customers have done for them.
Love of the cafe kept them going
The accolades and reputation the cafe has garnered over the years were beyond what the team had initially hoped for.
Their love for the community and the cafe is what kept them going through the recent challenging years, despite the pressures that followed.
Changing times and challenges
When Peach Cafe opened, their business model allowed them to stay true to their ethics while earning a modest income. However, they noted that recent years have brought significant and rapid changes, making it increasingly difficult to sustain the business.
Despite their best efforts to adapt and find new ways to keep the cafe running, Steph, Guy, and Harry felt they could no longer continue.
“We’ve done everything we can to avoid getting to this point,” they said, expressing their deep appreciation to customers who have supported them throughout.
A message for the future: “Use cash when you can”
The owners shared some heartfelt advice for those wanting to support small businesses in the future. They urged people to “use cash when you can” and to consider voting for policies that favour small ventures rather than large corporations.
They encouraged the community to see value in “quality, sustainability, longevity and kindness,” reminding everyone that how we spend our money plays a crucial role in shaping society.
For those thinking about starting their own business, they had an encouraging message,
“Go for it 100%.”
While the closure of Peach Cafe is bittersweet, the team has no regrets and spoke fondly of the time they spent working for themselves and contributing to their local community.
Looking forward to a memorable Christmas
Though Peach Cafe is closing, the team is determined to make their final months special. They announced that they will soon be revealing plans for their sixth Christmas, promising to make it a great one.
As the closure date approaches, Steph, Guy (who make up one half of the successful band Coach Party) and Harry extended their heartfelt thanks to their “amazing team and customers,” and expressed their hope to see everyone before the cafe’s final day of trading.
