Shinfield Parish Council Takes Over School Green Centre Café After Second Operator Steps Away

The Cafe has now lost 2 operators

Shinfield Parish Council (SPC) will take direct control of the café at the School Green Centre this October, marking the end of the second private operator’s tenure at the venue since it opened.

The current operator, Crumbs, will cease trading on Sunday 5 October 2025, after just over two years running the café. The Parish Council has thanked Crumbs for their contribution and wished them well as they continue to focus on their Woodley locations.

Crumbs took over the café in mid-2023, following the departure of the first operator, Robyn’s Café, which was also unable to establish a long-term presence at the centre. This makes Crumbs the second consecutive café operator to step away from the School Green Centre since its opening.

Following Crumbs' departure, the café will undergo a modest refurbishment and reopen to the public under SPC’s direct management on Tuesday 7 October 2025.

In a positive move for staff continuity and community connection, SPC confirmed that the majority of the existing café team will remain in place, becoming part of the Parish Council's team.

“I can’t say I am surprised" mentions one resident "I’ve been waiting for this announcement - the same effort just wasn’t there sadly and I think shutting at 3pm during the summer holidays was the nail in the coffin frankly. I am really pleased that the cafe will continue to operate - it is needed and wanted. Please do canvas opinion from the locals on what we want to see, how we would use it etc, so we can all make it a success"!

Another local mentioned on the post: "Two commercial organisations have tried and failed to run the cafe. The parish council will do no better, our taxes will pay for its future fail".