Coffee Box is closing this Thursday

Coffee Box, a popular independent café in South Leamington will be closing down this coming Thursday, following a slow trade over the summer.

However, the vegetarian café will be “going out on a good note,” with an open mic night and local musicians to celebrate their last night in business. They have extended their opening hours from 6pm to the end of the night as well as getting hold of a one-night liquor license.

The outlet on Clemens Street has been in business for the past three and a half years. While it was not the first café to open in the area, it quickly became popular among students for their cheap prices, student discounts, free wi-fi, power sockets near the tables and fresh food – the menu is made from scratch every morning.

Karen Hulme, who manages the business and created the menu, explained that while they have had a “loyal customer base” throughout the years, it “never quite got to the point when it was enough.”

It never quite got to the point when it was enough.
Karen Hulme

She told the Boar that those working at the establishment came to a mutual decision over the summer that it was “time to move on.”

Coffee Box officially announced their decision via Facebook on Wednesday 20 October, stating, “We’ve had a blast and would very much like to thank all our customers for making what we do worthwhile.”

“We’ll miss you all. Thank you for your support.”

The decision to close the café comes barely six months after a new coffee shop, Procaffeinate, opened across the street. Procaffeinate has become popular among students as it doubles up as a bar on weekends, with the stairs camouflaged behind a false fridge.

While Coffee Box’s landlord is a vegetarian himself and has always supported the business, the recent opening of the The Union Leamington, on Althorpe Street by the canal, did not help as the management had hoped.

It’s such a bargain, I’m gutted that it’s closing.
Georgia Hurrell

While Leamington is increasingly becoming known for its independent coffee shops, most of them are located by the Parade on the north side of town.

The closure leaves Leamington with only one remaining vegan café, The Garden Café on Regent Street.

Meanwhile, students currently living in South Leamington have been upset by the sudden news. Georgia Hurrell, a third-year English Literature student, commented: “I only started going to coffee box this term but it has a really great atmosphere and it’s such a bargain, I’m gutted that it’s closing.”

Hattie Rowan, a student currently on her year abroad, added: “I think it’s a real shame because that was a good vegan place closer to those who live South. However, I did always think that Procaffeinate opening must have provided a lot of competition.”