Ferndown | Posted on May 21st, 2025 | return to news
Ferndown café closure sparks protest action
A demonstration is being organised for Friday 23 May to oppose Ferndown Town Council’s decision to shut a beloved café.
A protest will take place outside The Barrington Centre on Pennys Walk this Friday to oppose a decision to close a popular and beloved café.
In April, Ferndown Town Council made an announcement that it was going to close Ferns Café from the end of May due to the huge financial losses generated it was generating. At a public meeting, the council revealed that Ferns Café had lost £150,000 over the span of four years.
The decision has caused deep distress within the community, as the café is a popular meeting spot and place for socialisation.
One resident, Eleanor Green, has decided to hold a demonstration outside The Barrington Centre, where the town council is located, to make the community’s opposition to the decision clear.
She said: “This will bring attention for the need to keep the café open and show it is a community space, not just a café but a social meeting place, and highlight the need [for it] to be open every day of the week with longer opening times [and a] change of menu if need be.”
Green criticised the town council, asking what actions have been taken to keep the café buoyant and not running at a loss.
She added: “This council have been in office for over a year and seems to have made no changes. Is it staff attitude or mismanagement?”
In response to the news of the protest, Ferndown Town Council issued a statement to Dorset View, stating that after a full review of alternatives, it will go ahead with closing the café at the end of the month.
The council said: “It is with regret that Ferndown Town Council confirmed the decision to close Ferns Café at The Barrington Centre. The café will close by the end of May.
“This decision has not been taken lightly. Following a full review of all alternative options presented, including a reassessment of advice from a specialist catering consultant, it was concluded that none offer a sustainable or viable path forward for the café’s continued operation. Significant efforts have been made to identify workable solutions, but due to ongoing financial pressures and constraints related to the centre’s occupancy agreement, no feasible alternative has been found.
“We fully acknowledge the impact this decision will have on both staff and members of the community who have supported and enjoyed the café over the years. We extend our sincere thanks to the café team for their hard work and dedication and to the wider community for their ongoing support.
“The bar will continue to operate to support events held at The Barrington Centre.
“While the closure marks the end of a valued facility, the town council remains committed to exploring new ways to support the community within the limits of our resources and operational obligations.”
The protest will take place at 12.30pm on Friday 23 May outside The Barrington Centre.
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