RESIDENTS fear pensioners will now "need to take a loan out" in order to afford a coffee after an under-fire charity took the "difficult decision" to no longer run a community cafe. 

Community360 has announced it is stepping away from managing the cafe inside the Primary Care Centre (PPC), in Turner Road, Colchester, nearly four years after taking over.

The organisation started managing the "important service for PCC staff as well as their patients" after it was closed down in October 2020, saving four jobs as well as other volunteer positions.

The Colchester League of Hospital and Community Friends handed over the reins after fighting dwindling trade following the coronavirus pandemic and competition from M&S, Costa and WH Smith.

Gazette: Pandemic - Community360 took over the cafe during the pandemicPandemic - Community360 took over the cafe during the pandemic (Image: Submitted)

The decision to no longer run the cafe comes after Community360 faced scrutiny for loaning its CEO Tracey Rudling £200,000 and paying her husband Gordon Rudling more than £250,000 over five years for building works.

Concerns have now been raised over the future of the cafe, and how the move may impact those who rely on it.

On Thursdays, for example, its acts as the final tea stop for the the Wellbeing Walkers who regularly embark on the Highwoods Walk starting from the Chanterelle car park. 

Terry, 76, said every time he goes in – not as a hospital patient but as a a guest – it is “full of people, all the time.”

He added: “It makes me angry, most of these people are old, they are disabled in some way and probably on quite low pensions.

“Now they are going to have to take a loan out to take a coffee in the Costa in the main hospital.”

Gazette: Location - The community cafe is at Colchester's Primary Care CentreLocation - The community cafe is at Colchester's Primary Care Centre (Image: Submitted)

Bosses at Community 360 have now moved to reassure those who use the cafe, saying they will continue to keep the cafe open until a new operator is put in place.

A spokesman for the charity said: “As a charity, our priority is always to ensure we are using our resources carefully to provide social support that benefits as many people as possible.

"In the context of rising costs and the resources required to run a commercial cafe, we have taken the difficult decision to step away from operating the cafe at the Primary Care Centre to allow us to focus on delivering our vital work at our Town Centre Hub and beyond.

“We would like to thank everyone who has supported our cafe over the last four years, and we look forward to continuing to provide our essential services from our Town Centre Hub.

"We will work closely with the new providers of the café over the coming months to ensure a seamless transition that will allow the café to continue serving those using the Primary Care Centre.

"C360 will work with partners to support a seamless handover, so there is no break in service provision at the cafe."