Visitors surprised by new cafe at Belvoir Castle following Cafe Allez closure

A new cafe has opened at Belvoir Castle the morning after a previous cafe was forced to close.

On Friday, April 1, visitors noticed that the new cafe, Vale View Cafe, had opened at the popular site, less than 24 hours after the closure of Cafe Allez.

The closure of Cafe Allez was announced in January and the owners received hundreds of comments of support and frustration from regulars and the wider public.

Co-owner of Cafe Allez, Mark Trevarthen, said: "We were very disappointed that no opportunity was given to extend our term at Belvoir: we felt we had much more to offer our customers and indeed, the Belvoir Estate.

"We weren’t given reasons for our departure or a chance to discuss this, but it is of course Belvoir’s contractual right to take back their building and do what they choose with it.

"We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our loyal customers, and also our amazing team who were committed, total professionals to the end."

Mark added: "Café Allez continues to serve amazing coffees, cakes and more at public and corporate events with Van Henri, and we’d encourage the public to continue to support the fantastic independent businesses at The Engine Yard."

Belvoir Castle has said it does not wish to make any comment at this time.