Ability Cafe's threatened closure in Co Down prompts community outrage and a fight for survival

It has given disabled workers purpose, pay and pride and acted as a welcome haven for locals and visitors, but now Co Down ’s much loved Ability Cafe is set to close.

Nestled amid the unique Ballycopeland Windmill’s heritage visitor attraction, the cafe not only helped bring life and light into the dark economic days after lockdown in the seaside town of Millisle, but it helped young people with learning difficulties thrive in a safe and welcoming workplace.

But now without a rescue plan, financial pressures mean the doors will shut on March 31, just one year and 10 months after they were opened by social enterprise Usel, Ulster Supported Employment Ltd, to great celebrations.

A total of £1.7million of public funding was invested into the project with a new cafe built, complete with the most accessible and advanced disability bathroom in any hospitality business in Northern Ireland.

Usel has been operating the interpretative centre and ability cafe in partnership with the Department for Communities which pumped £1.2 million into the project, alongside £500,000 from DAERA and £30,000 from Ards and North Down Borough Council.

The Ability Cafe opened to great celebrations in May 2022 with the team determined to make it work including Jim Frame, manager Pietro Amarello, Simon Dobson, John Lyttle, Beth Hagan and Courtney Wilson among the 15 staff

However today, a £50,000 shortfall in funding is threatening its closure, news of which came as a shock to workers, their families and the local community who have now gathered in a bid to fight for the survival of the cafe.

More than 20,000 people visited the unique windmill site last year, many of them also visiting the on-site cafe and campaigners fear one facility without the other has the potential to close both.

Built in the late 18th century, Ballycopeland windmill is the last working windmill in Northern Ireland and the interpretative centre celebrates its history and the stories of those who lived and worked there.

Cafe employee Jacqueline Adeoye, who launched a petition to save the Ability Cafe, said: “I am one of many disabled workers at the Ability Cafe in Millisle. This cafe is not just a workplace, but a haven that provides us with an opportunity to contribute to society and live independently. However, we are on the verge of losing our jobs as the cafe faces closure.

“The Ability Cafe has been an integral part of our community and it’s more than just a place to grab a coffee; it’s a social enterprise that employs disabled individuals like myself, giving us an equal chance at employment and helping us build confidence and skills.

The unique visitor attraction offers five areas of interest plus the under-threat Ability Cafe

“According to Scope UK, 7.7 million people of working age have a disability in the UK yet only around half are in employment compared with 81.8% of non-disabled people. The Ability Cafe is one small step towards bridging this gap.

“Closing down this cafe would not only mean job loss for us but also take away an essential platform where we can demonstrate our capabilities despite physical limitations.

“We urge this decision to be reconsidered, we urge you to help save our jobs and keep the doors of Ability Cafe open. We need the support of the public now more than ever before and we ask that you sign this petition today.”

Community workers, politicians, families and cafe users have joined forces to have their voice heard. Elsie Campbell visits the cafe regularly and called in especially to sign the petition.

The view from inside the Ability Cafe to the last working windmill in Northern Ireland

She said: “This is more than a cafe. It is the heart of the day for many people, for individuals who can meet and make friends.

“The staff are fantastic and we need them as much as they need us. The Ability Cafe is an all inclusive space for everyone, including and especially those people who have found themselves excluded or isolated due to disability and challenges.

“We need an action plan put in place to protect the cafe, more support from the government and councils to advertise the visitor attraction with road signage for a start.

Threatened closure of the cafe has prompted widespread support for a campaign to keep it open, including from those involved in the Millisle Community Association and politicians

“A total of £1.7million of public money was invested in this project and it has been a huge success on many levels. So we must not let our cafe close, we must not let our young people face a future without this place.

“We have thousands of visitors to Northern Ireland every year, we have cruise ships lining up in Belfast to dock and those international visitors should be encouraged or at least given the opportunity to visit and experience the last working windmill in the country with the cafe right on its doorstep.

“I travelled especially to the cafe to sign their petition and I hope everyone signs it either in person or online.”

New appointed Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has been invited to visit the Ability Cafe, with the hope he can find a way to bolster funding and protect the huge investment from 2022.

Former DAERA and Communities Ministers Edwin Poots and Cartiona Hargey, supported the £1.7million investment in the Ballycopeland Windmill and Ability Cafe, with local councillors from Ards and North Down

North Down MLA Stephen Dunne is backing the battle for survival and has vowed to do all he can to help. He said: “Millisle has not had the investments enjoyed by other towns in the area to date although investment is planned. So to see this Ability Cafe, its people and all the hard work that has gone into it threatened with closure would be a greatest shame.

“We are asking for as much support as possible from the public, not just from those people who live in and around the Millisle area but from those who visit here, from the thousands of families who enjoy the many caravan sites in the area, those who visit families and friends here and anyone and everyone who supports giving people living with disabilities, a fighting chance of employment.

“I will be speaking to my DUP party colleagues to see what can be done and in the meantime I would urge everyone to sign the petition.”

DUP councillor Davy Kerr, runs a farm shop nearby and says he has been inundated with requests to help keep the Ability Cafe open.

He said: “This cafe is a lifeline for many people and for many reasons. It was a shining example of what can be achieved when people come together and it helped bring our community and those visiting, out of lockdown.

“It is heartbreaking to think that we are facing losing it. The people who work here are valued and appreciated and the cafe is run from a place of compassion and respect. We just cannot see the doors close and we’d ask everyone to help support us to keep it open. There has to be a way.”

Independent MLA ALex Easton has also moved to support the cafe team. He said: “This is alarming news to hear that Usel may have to close the cafe due to a budget shortfall which seems to stem from funding issues at the Department for Communities.

“I believe the shortfall to be in the range of around £50,000 which in the scheme of things is not a huge sum that DfC should in my view be able to find.

“I believe that 20,000 visitors visited the windmill last year and without this neighbouring facility, those numbers could be affected. I

“I have submitted a priority Assembly question and written to both Usel and the Department for Communities as a matter of urgency and hope that something can be done to resolve this issue.

“I have also written to the Minister for Communities to ask him to visit the windmill and cafe. This threatened closure not only affects visitors, it also affects local residents and young people from the area who are training and working, learning and getting experience to help them find other employment.”

Part of the tour of the interior of the windmill at Ballycopeland

A spokesperson for Usel, which runs the cafe, said: “The decision to withdraw the café provision from Ballycopeland Windmill stems from a funding shortfall that has impacted our ability to maintain operational costs. Unfortunately, this financial challenge has put the sustainability of the café shop provision at risk.

“I can clarify that the operational responsibility of the Ballycopeland site lies with the Department for Communities (DfC) Historic Environment Division (HED). As such, the decision-making process regarding any closure and subsequent efforts to secure its sustained operation primarily rest within the purview of DfC HED. The funding shortfall primarily results from budget matters within DfC.

“We are fully committed to exploring all available avenues to keep the facility operational and continue its valuable contribution to the community.”

Jo Scott from the Millisle Community Association, said: “The threatened closure is awful news for the staff and young adults who work there. More than £1.7m has been invested into this attraction, which is part of our village’s history. When you see the windmill you know you are in our beloved Millisle.

“Action must be taken to save this historical visitor attraction. The staff are lovely and so friendly and the food is well prepared and presented. Our elected representatives for the Ards Peninsula and Ards and North Down must put on the pressure to save this attraction and cafe.

The cafe is in a state-of-the-art building that is accessible for everyone and includes a bathroom with full facilities for those with severe disabilities including a hoist, track and shower table

“A petition can be signed at Mrs Mrs Rummages charity shop on Main Street or call into the Windmill Cafe or sign it online please. Your support is greatly needed.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Communities said they are currently exploring options to appoint a new operator and added: “USEL has notified the Department for Communities that it intends to cease operations at Ballycopeland Windmill on 31 March 2024, affecting the café and heritage centre.”

If you would like to support the campaign to save the Ability Cafe click here and follow this link to add your name.