by Lynn Cox

lcox@thekmgroup.co.uk

Staff and customers of three popular cafes set to close at the end of the month have described the news as “heartbreaking”.

Branches of Cafe Sunlight at Medway’s healthy living centres in Rochester, Rainham and Lordswood are due to close because they are not thought to be making any profit.

The Lordswood cafe has been described as a hub of the community and some 100 people have signed a petition in protest at the closure.

It is popular with elderly people living nearby, including Roy Batty, 87, who goes every day for a hot meal.

He said: “I love coming here. They serve a wide variety of really good food. The manager is really good to me and makes sure I’m looked after – it’s heaven.

“I don’t know what I will do when it closes. I guess I’ll have to cook my own meals again. I will miss the place.”

His comments were echoed by Mike Wareing, of nearby Cygnet Road, who said: “It’s a real loss for the area. The place has such a community feel about it.

“It is used by lots of different people of all ages and is really busy. There is nothing round here to replace it.

“I will be speaking to my ward councillor about it and we will continue collecting signatures for our petition.”

Manager Christine Shields, who has worked at the cafe for two years, said: “I’m heartbroken the cafe is closing. I’ve loved working here.

“The people who come here are part of my family now.”

The cafes are run by the charity Sunlight Development Trust in partnership with NHS Medway (formerly Medway PCT).

The closures are expected to result in job losses.

Catering development manager Tom Bonner said: “We are in full consultation with all staff and providing support at this very difficult time.”

For full story see today's (Monday) Medway Messenger.