The Aubergine Cafe was recently faced with a sudden 50% rent increase on our premises, which could have forced us to close our doors within weeks. We and our comrades at ACORN are now fighting to keep the rent at its current rate, so that we can keep the cafe that we've made our home for the past 3 years.
We've poured tens of thousands of pounds and countless hours of work into this place, turning it from a neglected shell into a warm, welcoming and accessible space for autistic and neurodivergent people to eat, work, thrive and be themselves.
In December, after we asked to negotiate the new rent, our landlord withdrew the offer to renew our lease altogether - but after a massive outpouring of public support from the community, from other independent venues and coverage on ITV Wales Evening News, the landlord changed his mind and offered to renew our lease pending a rent review.
This goes to show that together we are strong and we have the power to win this struggle!
We are still here in 2023, but the threat of rising rent still hangs over us and makes our future at 26 Clare Street uncertain. We are currently waiting to confirm a date to sit down and negotiate our new rent with the landlord in the coming days or weeks.
We need your help to show him what this place means to the people of Cardiff and to the autistic/ND community.
Please, if you want Aubergine to stay put, add your name to this petition and show the landlord just how many people are on our side and how many lives the loss of our café would touch if he chooses to raise our rent above what we can reasonably pay. Add your voice to our call to save The Aubergine from rising rent so we can keep our beloved little neuroquirky home.
Thankyou
The Aubergine Cafe was recently faced with a sudden 50% rent increase on our premises, which could have forced us to close our doors within weeks. We and our comrades at ACORN are now fighting to keep the rent at its current rate, so that we can keep the cafe that we've made our home for the past 3 years.
We've poured tens of thousands of pounds and countless hours of work into this place, turning it from a neglected shell into a warm, welcoming and accessible space for autistic and neurodivergent people to eat, work, thrive and be themselves.
In December, after we asked to negotiate the new rent, our landlord withdrew the offer to renew our lease altogether - but after a massive outpouring of public support from the community, from other independent venues and coverage on ITV Wales Evening News, the landlord changed his mind and offered to renew our lease pending a rent review.
This goes to show that together we are strong and we have the power to win this struggle!
We are still here in 2023, but the threat of rising rent still hangs over us and makes our future at 26 Clare Street uncertain. We are currently waiting to confirm a date to sit down and negotiate our new rent with the landlord in the coming days or weeks.
We need your help to show him what this place means to the people of Cardiff and to the autistic/ND community.
Please, if you want Aubergine to stay put, add your name to this petition and show the landlord just how many people are on our side and how many lives the loss of our café would touch if he chooses to raise our rent above what we can reasonably pay. Add your voice to our call to save The Aubergine from rising rent so we can keep our beloved little neuroquirky home.
Thankyou