A SCOTTISH community cafe has been forced to close, with staff saying it has become “impossible to operate safely” due to alleged racist abuse.
Representatives from Lochee Community Larder & Cafe in Dundee have said they took the “difficult” decision to shut the popular community spot, citing a rise in “serious antisocial behaviour.”
The cafe previously shut its doors in June after staff faced “unacceptable" levels of abuse.
It had marketed itself as a social gathering space for the community.
It also operates a larder which provides free and low-cost groceries to those in need which will remain open.
Speaking to The Courier, a spokesperson for the cafe said: “Lochee Community Larder & Cafe took the difficult decision to temporarily close our Community Café in response to a recent rise in serious antisocial behaviour within and around the premises.
“Over the past several months, staff, volunteers, customers, and neighbouring residents have been affected by incidents including drug taking and suspected dealing, racist abuse, intimidation, violence, and behaviour that has left customers and volunteers feeling frightened and unsafe.
“We have also received multiple complaints from neighbours regarding disruptive and threatening conduct outside the building.
“Our café exists to provide a warm, welcoming, and inclusive space for everyone in the community.
“However, the level of behaviour we have recently experienced has made it impossible for us to operate safely. The wellbeing of our volunteers, staff, customers, and local residents must come first.
“We are therefore closing the café temporarily while we work with partner agencies – including community safety teams, local authorities, and Police Scotland – to review the situation and put stronger measures in place.
“This pause will allow us to reset the environment, strengthen safeguarding procedures, and ensure that when we reopen, the cafe is once again a safe and respectful space for all.
“The Community Larder remains open as usual, and our team continues to support local households with food access and advice.
Larder bosses say they are hoping to repurpose the cafe as a space for community groups to meet, with a new social club for over-65s already up and running.
Local councillor Wendy Scullin has been lending her support to the community larder sessions since the cafe closed.
She said: “You can see that there’s definitely a level of aggression from some people that have been turning up and these are people that are not using the larder facility.
“These are just people sort of hanging around.
“It’s not been the best of atmospheres,” she added.
“I think there’s a lot of misunderstanding on why the decision to close a cafe was made.
“I think that’s caused some resentment but there’s no absolutely no reason for any of these volunteers who don’t get paid to be facing any level of abuse from anyone.
“There’s no other facility like this. If Lochee was to lose this, it would be absolutely devastating. There’s people that rely on this facility.
“There’s other food larders and food banks nearby, but nothing to this level, and if this was to close, and people want to go in other places.
Meanwhile, some users of the cafe have hit out at the decision.
Alison Keir, a regular visitor to the cafe, said: “People who are suffering from mental health issues and rely on that place as somewhere to go for a chat are missing out, and nobody really understands why it’s closed.
Police Inspector Susan Cooke said the police were “aware” of concerns around anti-social behaviour at the cafe, adding they were working closely with local community safety wardens to review the situation.
She added that those involved should have “more respect” for the communities in which they live.
