(Image: The Lemon Tree)
A popular Tadcaster café is to close due to the retirement of its owners.
Jane and Geoff Derham have announced on social media that after seven years at The Lemon Tree it was “time to hang up their aprons and take things a little easier!”
The couple posted that since they took over the café and tea room in January 2020, just before the first Covid lockdown, they never imagined “quite what a rollercoaster the journey ahead would be.”
The post continued: “From lockdowns and uncertainty to all the ups and downs of running a small independent café, it certainly hasn’t always been easy. But here we are, nearly seven years later, and we’re still standing!”
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The couple thanked customers for their loyalty and support, who had made the Lemon Tree, based at 18 High Street, “so much more than just a café.”
The last day of trading under their ownership will be Saturday October 24.
The post added: “But this isn’t necessarily goodbye to The Lemon Tree itself!”
“We’re really hopeful that we have someone lined up who can take the café forward and continue what we’ve built together. Nothing is final just yet, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed and will keep you all updated as things progress.”
Jane confirmed that they are to retire.
She told The Press: “We are saying our final goodbyes. Some of our customers are more accepting of it [our retirement] than others but it is what it is. We have nothing planned [in our retirement]. We will take it a day at a time.”
During their seven years, Jane and Geoff built up a business that became one of the most highly rated in Tadcaster.
TripAdvisor awarded 4.7 stars out of five, based on 343 reviews, ranking it fourth out of 26 Tadcaster restaurants.
Google awarded 4.8 stars out of five based on 285 reviews.
Customers have posted their tributes to Jane and Geoff.
One said: “We've loved visiting you over the years Jane & Geoff! But you definitely deserve a well earned break! We will make sure we visit before you go. Lots of luck and rest for the future!!”
Another said: “You will be missed Jane and Geoff. I’ll miss popping in. It’s a tough gig running a cafe & you so deserve to enjoy a happy retirement. We only live once, so make the very most of it. All the very best and thank you for your friendship and support as a fellow business owner and neighbour.”
And another added: “Thank you for providing gluten free goodies and attention to detail over the years. You will be missed. May the next chapter bring you much happiness.”