Date set for closure of NAAFI Café in Catterick Garrison
This follows an earlier announcement that the café in the Princes Gate Shopping Centre would close unless a viable solution was found to sustain its operation.
The NAAFI (Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes), a not-for-profit organisation serving the UK Armed Forces, stated that the financial challenges of maintaining the café had become “insurmountable”.
NAAFI Café in Catterick Garrison (Image: KEVIN FOSTER) Rising costs, including rent, business rates, and product prices, made it unviable to continue, despite its popularity among military personnel, veterans, and the wider community.
Efforts had been made in recent months to save the venue, with residents, veterans, and community groups rallying in support.
A petition to keep the café open garnered over 1,500 signatures, while a dedicated social media campaign attracted significant backing.
Notably, actor and military charity supporter Anthony Cotton voiced his support for the campaign, recognising the café’s role as a crucial social hub.
Local councillors and MPs also joined the efforts to preserve the venue.
North Yorkshire Councillor Kevin Foster described the café as a vital space that fostered connections between military personnel and civilians.
The sign at the NAAFI Café (Image: EMMA SMITH/SAVE OUR NAAFI CAFE) Richmond and Northallerton MP Rishi Sunak echoed these sentiments, stating that he had reached out to the NAAFI to understand the reasons behind the decision.
In response to the outpouring of support, NAAFI indicated that they were open to exploring alternative solutions to keep the café open.
They even offered to donate the premises, including furniture and equipment, and contribute towards rental costs if an interested party could take over operations.
Despite this, it appears that no viable arrangement has been reached in time to prevent closure.
A sign has appeared on the cafe door confirming the closure, with a statement from NAAFI on the sign reading: “It’s with a heavy heart that our NAAFI Cafe in Catterick Garrison will be closing following the final day of trading on Friday 28th February 2025.
“NAAFI provide welcoming spaces for UK Armed Forces communities and beyond to connect and unwind. Our cafes’ purpose was to provide a welcoming, safe space for all, including veterans and the wider Defence community – something not regularly offered elsewhere but desperately needed.
“Despite our best efforts, and although it has become a popular place to meet for many people (and paws!), it is no longer economically possible for us to continue operating in Catterick.
“The many financial factors, including rent, business rates, operational costs, and rising product costs, mean that the money lost is too vast to continue, however much we would love to keep the facility open.
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“NAAFI’s main focus is serving UK Armed Forces, and we operate as a business, not a charity, with all of our surpluses going back in various ways to support Forces communities.
“To continue operating this NAAFI Cafe would mean losing money at an unsustainable rate, money that could be used elsewhere serving Defence communities at our locations around the world.”
The confirmation of the closure date marks the end of an establishment that had become a cornerstone of social life for many in Catterick Garrison.
While the possibility of a last-minute rescue remains, time is running out for the café, leaving many in the community disappointed at the impending loss of this valued meeting place.