Pensioners’ popular Worcester cafe closes due to costs

A beloved Warsster Cafe, known for its hot environment and hearty food, is closing after years of serving as a hub for the community.

Big Bill’s Cafe Owner, Martin, 83, and Sheela, 75, who took over in 2019, cited the rising costs as the main reason for the closure.

Martin, who retired in 2018, stepped to help the cafe run after Sheela’s son was opened. He said, “I retired on 30 December, started here on January 2, so my retirement did not last long.”

However, increased fare and energy bills have made it financially disabled. “They wanted to increase the rent, and wanted to connect it over the rates of water and electricity, we could not tolerate it,” Martin explained, while Sheela said the situation was “a bit of greed”.

Despite the financial challenges, the couple said that the best part of running cafes in St. John has always been people.

“That’s what I am going to remember personally,” said Sheela. “There are a lot of people who come in and want to talk to Martin. If they have problems, they will tell her and they will try and help in their own way.”

Regular customers say that the community will leave a hole in the community.

A loyal patron Daniel Brooks said, “I’m just worried that I didn’t get it soon. The great man, really good food. We have never had a bad meal. Even if we had ever done, we will come back because he is such a big man.”

His companions, Eve Barley, were equally destroyed. “(Daniel) came home on the second day and told me the news, and I was very upset. This is the best breakfast in the warster.”

Another customer, William, who has been coming to the cafe for seven years, said, “It brings the community together, and this is what you want. But now, no one is going to talk to each other.”

For Martin and Sheela, this will be their second attempt on retirement. “Somebody said the other day,” For both of you, this is not a job, it’s a way of life, “and I felt a lovely way to insert it,” Martin said. “But now, I think it will retire this time.”

Despite their sadness, they plan to take maximum advantage of their free time. “We will wake up late in the morning, maybe we will go on the weekend, and some will catch sleep,” Martin said.

Cafe will serve its final meal on Saturday, March 29, which will mark the end of an era equally to its owners and customers.