Chatterbox Cafe in St John’s Chapel, Weardale, to be put up for sale
Cameron Gordon, the owner of The Chatterbox Cafe, in St John’s Chapel, posted on social media saying: “The Cafe, including the two-bedroom flat above, will be coming up for sale in June.”
The cafe has been closed since January with Mr Gordon’s health issues leading him to post on Facebook: “I’m not sure I will ever be physically or mentally fit enough to reopen the cafe.”
Nevertheless, a community of customers rallied round him and have shared their sadness at the proposed sale of the venue.
David Blackdene said: “A huge loss to the community and the Dale. Great memories of a smashing cafe and lovely fella.”
While Rebecca Barrett said: “Very sad news Cameron.
“Wishing you all the very best – you ran the best cafe ever!”
Another regular, Paul Humphries, said: “This is such a shame, the Chatterbox without Cameron is hard to imagine. Wishing you all the best for the future.”
The cafe has been widely praised on TripAdvisor, with a host of top reviews from contributors to the site – it has a 4.7-star rating and 261 ‘excellent’ reviews, the highest score possible.
One satisfied customer branded it a “little gem”, saying: “Walked in and were greeted with the warmest of welcomes.
“We had a lovely bacon butty and tea and coffee.
“But what made it was the host – he was friendly, warm and chatty.
“Will definitely make sure we pass through again and I would bet good money we would be remembered because thatβs the kind of host he was. Beautiful village as well!”