After much consideration, we are sharing the news that our Barnsley Hospice Café at Mapplewell and Staincross Village Hall will close permanently on 2 April 2026.
We opened the café as part of our commitment to finding new and innovative ways to raise funds to secure the future of hospice care in our town. However, like any new business or project, it has always been our intention to review and evaluate its success to determine whether the café was a viable long-term option for the hospice.
As a charity, we are committed to transparency and ensuring that we make the best decisions to generate the required funds to support our services. After reviewing the data available, it is apparent that the café has not been profitable in the way we initially hoped, despite proactive steps taken over the last few months to address this. We need to raise around two-thirds of our running costs each year, and we will continue to allocate our resources most effectively to deliver the specialist compassionate care we are proud to provide for our community.
Our heartfelt thanks go to our staff and volunteers involved in the set-up and running of our café, and everyone who has supported it since we opened. We would also like to acknowledge Mapplewell and Staincross Village Hall for their support throughout this venture.
We will continue to operate the café over the next month and hope you will join us for a cup of coffee and a slice of cake or two.
Thank you for your ongoing support, Barnsley.
To find out more about how you can support the hospice, please visit our website www.barnsleyhospice.org/support-us
Find our FAQs about the café closure below.
FAQs
Why is the café closing?
We are committed to securing the financial future of the hospice, and the café has not been profitable in the way we initially hoped. Our resources can be used elsewhere to generate more funds for the hospice.
When will the café close?
Our café will close at 2 pm on Thursday 2 April. We will remain open Monday – Friday, 10 am – 2 pm throughout this time, however, we will stop serving hot food from Friday 6 March. After this, we will serve hot drinks, cakes and light bites.
Why not try keeping the café open for longer?
Since the café opened, we have taken proactive steps to make it as profitable as possible. However, after reviewing the data, we have made the decision that our resources would be better used generating income in other ways. By making this decision now, it allows us to redirect our efforts and support us on our mission to ensure hospice care is available to the people of Barnsley for many years to come.
About Barnsley Hospice
The hospice, based in Gawber, was established in 1994 and needs to raise around two-thirds of its income a year on average to fund the specialist palliative and end of life care it provides for the people of Barnsley. It relies entirely on fundraising and donations to achieve this amount. The NHS provides an additional grant.
Barnsley Hospice provides specialist care and support for people with progressive, life-limiting illnesses, including cancer, heart and lung disease, and neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s and motor neurone disease, and supports those close to them too.
As a charity, the hospice based in Gawber heavily depends on donations, and the funds collected go towards the continuous delivery of services to patients and families in the local area. You can show your support by raising funds for Barnsley Hospice. You can learn how to do this here.
For more information, visit www.barnsleyhospice.org.
ENDS.
