MINEHEAD residents were shocked this week to find that the cafe in Blenheim Gardens - run by the same family for more than 50 years had closed for good on Tuesday with only a few days’ notice.

After running the period cafe for over 25 years, Suzanne Dean was told a week ago by the owners, West Somerset Council, that her lease had been terminated.

She was offered a further lease at a higher rent, plus additional conditions, including maintenance of the building – but it wasn’t a viable option.

“I knew that once the rent was increased and other conditions imposed, that would be it - we simply couldn’t afford any more,” Suzanne told the Free Press. “But it was pretty traumatic when it actually happened.”

More than 200 people expressed regret over the cafe closure on social media, and customers were asking that the district council re-think the decision so that Minehead could keep what one described as “one of the town’s hidden treasures”.

After a farewell party on Wednesday for family, friends and customers, Suzanne shut the cafe and has until next April to remove all her possessions from the property.

“I will be looking for a job,” she said.

Suzanne ,63, said that not only did she run the cafe but supervised the clock golf, cleaned the nearby bandstand and even looked after a stray parrot that arrived in the gardens.

“This place has become part of my life in the summer,” she said. “Children love it, and we have provided toys and books so that parents can relax.

“It was a shock and very upsetting to be suddenly told the lease was terminated.

“I cried a lot. It was very sudden and came out of the blue. The cafe and my friends and customers have been my life for so long.

“I have loved being part of these beautiful gardens and particularly getting to know so many young families.”

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