Old Cottage Coffee Shop

Old Cottage Cafe fundraiser breaks through the £6,000 mark

Neil Clasper1 Comment
The Old Cottage Cafe in Charlton Park
The cafe has been closed since the break-in on Saturday night

Our thanks to SIMON SHORT for an update on the fundraiser set up to support Charlton Park’s Old Cottage Cafe after it was burgled and damaged on Saturday night:

I set up the Gofundme page on Sunday morning, and since then the total that has been donated is over £6,100.

Having spoken to Michael again at lunchtime today to get the money deposited into his account, he told me how amazing he thought the response had been and he was really touched by the comments that everyone has left on the site.

It doesn’t look like they’ll be able to open again this week, but hopefully this money will make sure that they are able to get back to being the much loved stop-off that everyone clearly loves so much.

I’d like to add how nice it has been from my point of view, seeing the comments coming in for them too. I should however have set the page up NOT to have sent me an email every time there was a donation or comment – my phone didn’t stop pinging all day on Sunday. A nice problem to have.”

The fundraising page is still open if you would like to contribute. Anyone with any information on the break-in should call 101 or use the Metropolitan Police website. We’ll bring you news on when the cafe will reopen as soon as we have it.

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Fundraiser launched after Charlton’s Old Cottage Cafe hit by break-in

Darryl Chamberlain2 Comments
Old Cottage Cafe
The break-in took place overnight

The community has rallied round the Old Cottage Cafe in Charlton Park after it was hit by a break-in overnight.

Burglars broke into the much-loved cafe, stealing money and a cash register and leaving furniture overturned and crockery smashed up.

A fundraiser has been launched to get the cafe back on its feet, while customers have been offering their help.

Old Cottage Cafe
Thieves stole Saturday’s takings and a cash register
Old Cottage Cafe
Work is taking place to secure the cafe

At noon today, the fundraiser had seen £580 pledged. You can pledge cash here. (Update: It sailed through its £1,000 target at 12.40pm.)

Among those offering their help have been local MP Matt Pennycook.

The cafe is closed and police have been on site, with locals turning up to help. Anyone with any information should call 101 or use the Metropolitan Police website. If you can offer practical help in the days ahead – we understand a plumber is particularly needed today – then drop by the cafe.

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Will Charlton Park petition flush out public toilet improvements?

Neil Clasper13 Comments

Charlton Park public toilets

The proprietors of the Old Cottage Coffee Shop have raised a petition asking Greenwich Council to refurbish the public toilets in Charlton Park. The petition highlights the poor state of the facilities, including the lack of hot water, the absence of baby-changing facilities, and evidence of drug-taking in the toilets. Comments left on the online petition reinforce these concerns:

“These toilets are disgusting and a refurb of them is long overdue!, I dread it when we are at the cafe or in the exercise park and the kids need the loo! I’d rather they go by a tree than go in those dirty, needle infested toilets!”

“These toilets really are in a bad shape but are at a strategic location with cricket and football pitches, a 2012 legacy outdoor gym and a really popular café. All these facilities need proper toilet facilities.”

“Charlton Park is the heart of Charlton and loved by many. It is an ideal place for many activities and is otherwise very tidy and well-maintained. Sadly the lack of usable toilet facilities means you can’t stay too long!”

“Can’t believe we need to petition for usable, clean, drug free toilets in our community.”

You can sign the petition here.