Popular cafe struggling due to road closures

Staff of the Handlebar Cafe have been left worried and confused as their business struggles due to restricted access caused by a nine-month project to repair a 100 year old bridge.

The Handlebar Café, part of Bespoke Biking has been hit in its peak season with parking suspensions and further works along Garnier Road, continuing to confuse customers and delivery drivers.  

Lee Banks, Manager of The Handlebar Café, said: “There’s a lack of confidence whether people can come here or not, and that’s one of the big things that we’ve been trying to counteract, with that and the weather over the summer, its allowed for a dip in sales.”  

“In the first three months we lost £10,000 so this summer we had to work really hard to keep the confidence levels up.” 

However, the café is staying positive and striving forwards to chase sales by revamping their menu, including a larger range of vegan options, as well as free treats on offer for children. 

Company Director, Heather Evans said: “We are going to start a petition to seek some compensation as our jobs and livelihoods are on the line, the closure has stopped people from getting to work.” 

“The closure of the bridge has come at such a bad time; we look out of the café window and see nothing happening- the opportunities of things to go wrong is very high.” 

After just recently celebrating their 4-year anniversary in late September, The Handlebar Café hopes for many more years to come.  

Whilst reflecting on this milestone, the café would like to thank all their customers that have supported the business throughout this tough time and wish to give a warm welcome to new customers that walk through their doors.  

But now with February 2024 seeming like the more appropriate time for the bridge repair to be completed, and with autumnal weather approaching the café is worried for their future. 

The Handlebar Café still remains firmly open, despite the road closure: 

Monday – Wednesday, 8:30am- 4:30pm 

Thursday – Sunday, 8:30am – 5:30pm