'Angry' - County airfield café occupiers tell-all on decision to leave

The occupiers of a much-loved café at a Shropshire airfield have opened up about the alleged reasons why they will be leaving the establishment next month.

Amanda Wainwright and her daughter Alice Wainwright have been running Sleap Airfield Café since 2023.

Sleap Airfield Café is owned by the Shropshire Aero Club, which also owns the airfield itself.

Earlier this week Amanda and Alice went online to share the news that they would be departing the café on October 25.

“This is not a decision we have made by choice, and honestly, it is one of the hardest posts we have ever had to write,” wrote the mother and daughter online.

The cafe’s statement went on to say that they were faced with a new contract that they could not "realistically agree to or operate under”.

At the time of their sharing of the statement they refused to detail the specifics of the proposed contract, simply stating that they would not be continuing at the airfield and thanking staff and customers.

However, Amanda and Alice have now broken their silence and spoken to the Shropshire Star about why they feel they have been forced to make the decision to go.

The mother and daughter explained that their contract with Shropshire Aero Club ran out in June.

As a result, they entered into a rolling contract until the club drew up new paperwork - this was expected to be completed in January, the café occupiers said.

But earlier this month, the Shropshire Aero Club presented Amanda and Alice with a new contract ahead of schedule.

The alleged contents of the new contract left the mother and daughter angered.

Within the proposed agreement, the airfield owners were putting forward a virtual doubling in the rent, longer opening hours, club control over the menus, and an ask for the café to up their quality in food, Amanda and Alice claimed.

“We are really angry - we are devastated,” said Amanda, talking about how the situation has transpired.

She added: “We are devastated more than anything because as we have seen on Facebook, the comments we have had, they have been so lovely.

“In the last three days, the people coming in, they just cannot believe it. They are absolutely devastated along with us.”

The new contract left the current business financially unviable, Amanda and Alice stated.

They claimed that when they attempted to push back at some of the components of the proposed contract, they were met with no reply.

The mother and daughter now worry about their futures, alongside their staff’s, as they approach the October 25 leaving date.

Responding to Amanda and Alice’s allegations, a spokesperson for Shropshire Aero Club said: “The cafe’s agreement with the club was up for renewal and we tried to agree new terms.

“We were not able to reach an agreement and the caterer has given notice. We are sorry it has ended this way and we wish them and their staff well.”

The spokesperson went on to say: “We know this will be disappointing for people who have used the café and we are disappointed too.

“The café matters to our members and visitors. We expect to announce new catering arrangements soon and to reopen with as little disruption as possible.”