Armley: Gotts Park cafe closes – group seeks new base

1
1989
gotts park mansion
Grade II Listed Gotts Park Mansion , fornmerly known as Armley House, was built in 1781. Photo: Wade's Charity

Customers say they are ‘gutted’ that the cafe at Gotts Park Mansion in Armley is now closed ‘until further notice’.

Current owners Amanda and Jayne have chosen to ‘seek new ventures’ after taking on the cafe in 2017.

They had hoped to continue until Christmas but ‘due to unforeseen circumstances’ have now closed immediately.

The cafe, based inside the Manor House, sold hot and cold meals, drinks, snacks and breakfasts.

A post on the cafe’s Facebook page said:

“We would like to thank everyone for their continued support over the last two-and-a-half years we have made some really great friends of which I’m sure our friendships will continue.”

Disappointed customers have posted their thanks to Amanda and Jayne.

Charlie Rust posted:

“Oh no! Good luck with whatever you do. I loved coming to you with the kids, best breakfast ever x”

Mandy Brownsword posted her tributes. She said:

“You’ve been amazing ladies and I wish you both love for your future ventures and family life xx”

Jackie Drewett added:

“Oh … ladies how sad but can I say as a family business in London please support your local shops and cafes etc as when they are gone you can’t replace them … x good luck.”

Hookers and Clickers met at Gotts Park Cafe. Photo: Joanne Brophy

Armley resident Joanne Brophy runs the Hookers and Clickers crochet and knitting group at the cafe. She is now looking for new premises in the area, preferably a cafe. Joanne said:

“We will be very sad to see the cafe close. It’s a lovely space in beautiful grounds with well-cooked food and always with a smile.

“Amanda and Jayne enjoyed us being there. We all either had breakfast or lunch and cake too!

“Now I will need to find another space to use, preferably a cafe. I’d like very much to keep it in Armley.”

Joanne, who launched the group last year, said there can be anything up to 15 ladies there on a Tuesday morning.

“As well as knitting and crocheting for different charities, it encourages people to talk and as the group has ‘bonded’ over time people have spoken about their mental health, children, grandchildren, jobs they’ve had etc.

“I think all of the ladies look forward to meeting up on Tuesday. The cafe had lots of outside space too, we did a flower arranging class outside just for something different for us to do/learn.

“We have also had ladies from the FB page come to Gotts Park Cafe to visit us. They have come from Essex, Middlesex, Northumberland, Scotland. One of the ladies lives in Hong Kong and visits us when she’s in UK.

“Gotts Park cafe closing is a blow to my group. “

If anyone has a cafe and wants to host a knitting group, e-mail Joanne on hookersandclickers@gmail.com.

On Facebook, the cafe told Joanne they were ‘gutted’ to close and added:

“We cannot thank you enough for your support. If not for you and the groups you have introduced to Gotts Park we would have closed a while ago xx. You’re super special and we love you.”

Support us

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.