Queues as Cha Café in Cassiobury Park closes

Cha Café, in Cassiobury Park, closed its doors on August 31 as owners Brian and Mandy Evans retired.

With no replacement tenant in place, the owners, customers, and Watford Borough Council have all said they hope the “wonderful” café can remain as a community-focused operation.

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Brian said: “We’d just like to say a big thank you to all our friends who have supported us at the café over the past eight years.

“We were overwhelmed by the amount of people that came down to see us.

“We’d like to thank them for all the kind wishes and gifts.”

Neil Tester, who became a regular visitor to the park over lockdown, was at the cafe on the final day.

He said: “I almost felt quite sorry for the team as so many people came down.

The Cha Café in Cassiobury Park. Picture: Watford Borough Council.

“I suspect they were so busy with everyone it didn’t really hit them how much support they got until afterwards.

“I think they don’t really realise how much difference they have made to a lot of people.

“During the pandemic you could really see how grateful people were to Cha and the focus they were placing on the community.”

Neil added that he hopes a new tenant can be found quickly and the café continues to be run in the same way.

This is the Cha Café in Cassiobury Park, closing today after making a huge difference to Watford in the pandemic. Huge community asset and I hope @WatfordCouncil @WatfordMayor move soon to find right kind of new tenant, having allowed a gap to develop. Many here to say goodbye. pic.twitter.com/Zid84TnPuw

— Neil Tester (@NTtweeting) August 31, 2022

Brian said: “We hope that the lease is awarded to people that will actually participate in the business on a day-to-day basis rather than a number in someone’s portfolio.”

Watford Mayor Peter Taylor provided an update: “Cha Café has been a wonderful and affordable family run hub for the past eight years.

“It’s important we retain this character when we look for new operators.

“The tender process will consider the special nature of Cassiobury Park, as well as the social value of having a local business run the café.”

Watford Borough Council has also confirmed winning tenders will have to demonstrate they offer “a service which is at the heart of the local community” and “protect the heritage of the Edwardian building.”

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