THE owner of one of the longest-serving museum cafés in the Forest has been told she has to leave her business by next October.

Kay Bird has managed the Dean Heritage Centre café in Soudley for nearly 35 years after taking it over from her mother.

The centre manager says the trust must explore all possible revenue streams and will takeover the café and run it as an ‘in-house’ operation.

Mrs Bird, of Cinderford, said: “I am absolutely gutted. This has been very much a family-run business for more than 35 years. I worked for my mother (Madeline) when she ran the café with her friend Iris Collins, and took it over when she announced her retirement.

“I feel like all the hard work it has taken to build the business hasn’t meant anything. I have battled through many setbacks over the years to keep the business going such as driving in harsh snow, the years of the foot and mouth epidemic and, obviously the fire in the museum’s roof in 2009 shut us for two months.

“We have regulars who have been coming here since we first opened and now bring along their children and grandchildren. I have enlarged the notice letter I received and displayed it to make people aware. My regulars are infuriated by the decision.

“I bring in a lot of trade from coach parties and those who are walking or cycling in the area. I liked to get support to fight against the decision.”

Mrs Bird pays a monthly rent to the trust in exchange for the space and all of the utilities and services.

Centre manager, Emma Smith said: “It was with sadness the trust had to end the business agreement with Kay Bird. The board of trustees has acted on advice provided by two independent consultancy reports undertaken in recent years.

“The trust has begun a funded project supported by Arts Council England that allows it to develop, improve and maintain its purpose of protecting, promoting and preserving the Forest’s unique heritage.

“Since the District Council has been unable to offer funding in any way to this charity for several years, the trust has had to address this loss of income.

“Admission currently makes up two thirds of the trust’s annual income. Therefore from October 5 2017 the on-site café will be run by the trust as an in-house operation.

“The centre’s team, made up of volunteers and paid staff, hope the community will continue to support our work.”

Members of the public can attend an annual general meeting at 7.30pm on Thursday, October 27 at the centre. To attend call 01594 822170.