Riverside cafe closes after three years in business

A CAFÉ in Wargrave has closed after three years in operation.

Velolife at Willow Marina in Willow Lane was one of four venues under the company which was run by Lee Goodwin for cyclists and the wider community.

He opened his original Velolife in Warren Row after expanding his bicycle repair business to include a café by taking over an empty pub. However, the venue was taken over by Caroline Jamieson and her son Jamie Futcher who re-opened the venue as Sip and Spoke in July.

In 2023, Mr Goodwin opened the Rowing Room Café at the River & Rowing Museum, which was handed back over to the museum to run independently in January.

On Monday last week, Mr Goodwin announced the closure of the remaining café on social media. He said he was “grateful” for the support during challenges including the covid pandemic and flooding at the Wargrave venue last year which led to a full refit after the building was 3ft under water.

Mr Goodwin wrote: “After an incredible decade, it’s time to close the chapter on our cafés. To all of you who were patient in the queues, who turned up in the rain, who walked over in the snow and who trusted us with your bikes, thank you.

“To all of those who have worked with us, who have poured shot after shot of amazing coffee, if it wasn’t for you we would not have existed.

“Now it’s time for a little rest and a new chapter. Velolife is not disappearing but it may be a little different, encompassing a life with cycling, a Velolife.”