Forum Topic

The Bridgelink Cafe

Does anyone else use this cafe which is just off the Twickenham Rd on the Ivybridge Estate?It is a real little gem in the local area with fantastic made to order food and is absolutely spotless and well deserving of its five star ratingWell worth a try if you are in the area

Paul Fisher ● 4828d7 Comments

Hear, hear!  Well said Vanessa.  Sarah x

Sarah Felstead ● 4808d

"The whole community centre is a charity and is self sustainable, with funding and support from various avenues, including the RFU......." The original money came from the National Lottery for the building etc. as I recall. The people, who are mostly volunteers, who've helped run various things over the years are the people to thank, although there have been some paid staff. Hopefully the centre will continue to operate and provide a focal point for the estate, I'm sure we all wish them Good Luck for the future.

Vanessa Smith ● 4811d

Paul - could you please explain, if you know, how the cafe operated and why it was opened?I was under the impression it was a community cafe opened as a part of the many changes, hard won, on this estate?When we first moved to Isleworth we were told to avoid the estate around Key market supermarket (now TKMaxx) and over the years the changes and improvements have been very successful for the whole area.  One of those success stories often forgotten about once they are accepted.

Sarah Felstead ● 4811d

Saw it in The Chronicle, they have been making "substantial losses", they want to keep the centre open so it seems some tough choices have had to be made.

Vanessa Smith ● 4811d

Is it closing for good Vanessa?A real shame if thats so as the cafe also gave part time employment to a few locals who are excellent in what they provide

Paul Fisher ● 4811d

Sorry to see that The Bridgelink Cafe is closing this week. It must be extremely difficult to keep going in this financial climate.

Vanessa Smith ● 4811d

With TKMax opening on the 14th February we think times-they-are-a-changing for this parade of shops.The cafe could do with some marketing strategy to tap into the curious crowds who will be spilling out of the new shops doors over their opening week!Park, meet for a coffee, then tackle TKMaxx mid week when the crowds are smaller?  Quiet coffee after a mad Maxx shop?  :-)

Sarah Felstead ● 4828d