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Mad Hatters closes doors on Kirkgate, Newark just two months after reopening following closure on former premises on Appletongate




A much-loved quirky tearoom has suddenly closed its doors after reopening two months ago at a different location in the town centre.

Mad Hatters, previously on Appletongate, Newark, closed on September 28, but then reopened at 39 Kirkgate on November 15, in the former The Old Charles I coffee house.

But now owner Clare Fordham announced on the business's social media with “deep sadness and a heavy heart” that she has had to close the business following many “sleepless nights”.

Mad Hatters coffee shop on Appletongate, Newark
Mad Hatters coffee shop on Appletongate, Newark

She said she had to close it as the business wasn’t profitable due to the costs of products, bills, and staffing in comparison to the lack of footfall within the town.

“It saddens me as a Newark-born and bred girl because Mad Hatters was launched and established in the town.

“I put my heart and soul into the business and even the general public have, I would love to continue with the business but the current economy doesn’t allow it.”

Kirkgate, Newark: July 2024
Kirkgate, Newark: July 2024

Mad Hatters opened its doors just five months before Covid-19 hit, and not only survived the pandemic but started to offer a range of events and activities such as waffles, crafting workshops, and psychic nights, and had also just started offering parent and child sessions.

Clare first closed doors in September 2024 after trying to sell the business but was then able to move to a new location in the town centre.

She then took over the Crafty Cafe at Fulbeck’s Craft Centre on November 7, and opened a second Mad Hatters.

Clare said that despite the Newark location providing more footfall, it still wasn’t enough to cover the costs and that Newark’s coffee shop market was “saturated”.

She added: “It was a very tough call but it had to be done, I had no other choice.

“Newark has so much history and it is a lovely town, but there is not much that we can do when we are not making any money.

Mad Hatters coffee shop on Appletongate, Newark
Mad Hatters coffee shop on Appletongate, Newark

“I am not saying we will never come back to Newark, but at the minute our home is Fulbeck,” concluded Clare.

The Fulbeck Mad Hatters is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm, Saturday from 9am to 4pm and Sundays from 9am to 3pm.



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