It is with sadness that Ferne Animal Sanctuary must announce that during the Spring of this year, Nina’s Café is to close its’ doors to the public. Nina’s shall remain available for group bookings, either private or corporate made in advance (T’s & Cs apply). As well as during our numerous annual events and shows. Additionally, we will cater for functions booked in our conference room that require a catering option.
Transition Period and Reduced Operation
Nina’s shall trade as normal until Sunday 14th April in line with Easter School Holidays. Between Monday 15th April and Monday 13th May, Nina’s will be open Thursday through Monday each week 10am-3pm. We will be closed for Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For these four weeks, it will be a reduced menu. From Monday 13th May onwards visitors can avail hot & cold drinks, ice-cream, prepacked cold snacks from the Visitor Centre.
Reason for Closure
Over the past few years, the team have worked hard to make Nina’s an independent commercial success, so that it could contribute to the ongoing animal care work. However, for the past two years, all areas of our costs have escalated at rates well beyond the norm. This has placed tremendous pressure on the services that Ferne provides. The recent financial pressures of food costs, utility costs, and wages have meant that the ever-improving revenues are more than wiped out by costs. This leaves the café operation unsustainable.
Carrying out our great work is a financial struggle, now more than ever before, Ferne Animal Sanctuary is desperate for your support and is ever grateful for it. With similar charities closing or reducing their work, the activity for Ferne is only expected to increase, as costs continue to rise. Your support of Ferne is recognised and appreciated by us all. Please spread the word of the tremendous work that Ferne does. And, if you’re able, please visit our Just Giving page
Call for Volunteers
We are pursuing a broad volunteer search, seeking all people with the skills and desire to help Nina’s provide a scaled down operation. If you are interested, or know someone who would be, please contact volunteering@ferneanimalsanctuary.org. We would love to hear from you.
Thank you to all those that work, and have worked, at Nina’s for their dedication and effort. We are truly sorry that Nina’s cannot continue to trade in the way that it does currently. We appreciate just how challenging this news is and will give our Nina’s team full support as we work through this process. Our sincere thanks & gratitude to all our superb Nina’s customers, to whom this announcement shall come as a disappointment. The decision has not been taken lightly, but we are convinced it is right for the charity to do this.
Ferne Animal Sanctuary shall continue to carry out the much-needed animal care work; rescuing and rehabilitating hundreds of animals in need every year! We are forever grateful for all your support that our animals receive.
For further information please contact Kevan on kevan@ferneanimalsanctuary.org