Oldchurch Café- End of an Era?

      The Oldchurch Café has been around in one shape or form since Oldchurch Hospital was originally opened but is it going to disappear in the same way?

       I was delivering copies of Community Times Romford Gateway edition around Rush Green this morning and as I finished, popped into the café as I finished. It was about 11.30am and there were two people sitting down, often all you’ll find in any café at that time but when I was told that this might be the entire custom for the day I was horrified. When you’ve known any business for a length of time, even if you don’t use it you want it to stay there. Unfortunately, since the new hospital has been built, there hasn’t been the passing trade it always had before and nobody seems to go there now. When the food was being brought out to one of the customers I was more than tempted to stop and eat there rather than the food when I got home, as it looked and smelled really nice.

       I can’t say too much about the fortunes of this place but think 155, Oldchurch Road could do with the locals just going there and starting up small social functions. I’m sure it would make a good spot for something, even a bingo club on a Wednesday afternoon. Perhaps there may be the opportunity for players and/or supporters of Romford F.C and Romford & Gidea Park RFC to eat before matches. Any suggestions you may have to keep it going would be welcomed, just go in and give it a go…..go on…..go on….go on…..

Tim. Coyle