MACMILLAN Jersey’s book café The Lounge in Burrard Street is to close at the end of this month, the charity has announced.
Challenges created by the Covid pandemic and its subsequent impact are blamed for the decision to close the community hub, which combines a coffee shop with a second-hand book shop.
Macmillan Jersey’s chief executive Steph Gibaut said that while the facility – created as a way of engaging with the community, providing a space for the income team and creating a further opportunity to raise funds – had met most of its objectives, circumstances had changed as a result of the pandemic, leading to difficult decisions.
“Our focus going forward will be to continue to engage with the community through outreach and fundraising events. Longer term, our hope is to look for another opportunity to have a space in the heart of the community.
“We would like to thank each and every customer, supplier and supporter that came to The Lounge. The past five years have been incredible, and we are truly grateful for all the memories. This isn’t a goodbye, it’s a see you soon,” she said.
Ms Gibaut added that, while news of the closure might be disappointing to many, it would not deter them from providing vital support to those affected by cancer in the Island.
This week the charity, embarking on a partnership with Health, launched a new service Improving the Cancer Journey Jersey, which will ensure that all newly diagnosed patients are referred directly to Macmillan Jersey for a holistic needs assessment. This will lead to an individual care plan that best suits the needs of each patient and point them to relevant support in the Island.
The new service is recognised in the Island’s first cancer strategy launched by Health Minister Karen Wilson earlier this month.
